Allopurinol

Allopurinol is a medication primarily used to reduce high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a natural waste product formed during the breakdown of purines, which are found in many foods and are also produced by the body. When uric acid levels become too high, it can lead to various conditions, most notably gout and certain types of kidney stones. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, tenderness, and swelling in the joints, often the big toe. Allopurinol works by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for uric acid production. Allopurinol is available in oral tablet form and is categorized as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It is not typically used to treat acute gout attacks, but rather as a long-term preventive measure to lower uric acid levels and reduce the frequency and severity of future attacks. It is also used to prevent high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) in people undergoing chemotherapy for certain cancers, as chemotherapy can cause a rapid breakdown of cells, leading to a sudden increase in uric acid. (Source: MedlinePlus, DrugBank)