Focus on Allopurinol

Abstract

Urate saturation of extracellular fluids results in hyperuricaemia.¹ The deposition of this monosodium urate (MSU) in joints, soft tissues and bones, triggers an inflammatory arthritis and can manifest in many forms including acute gout flare, chronic gouty arthritis and tophaceous gout (formation of tophi).¹ Factors that lead to changes in the extracellular urate concentration have the potential to trigger a gout flare-up and include stress (mainly due to medical conditions), dietary choices and drugs, including aspirin, diuretics and even allopurinol.