Which medication is used to prevent gout flares by lowering uric acid levels?

Which medication is used to prevent gout flares by lowering uric acid levels?

• A. Allopurinol
• B. Colchicine
• C. Fosamax
• D. Permethrin

Answer: (A)

Allopurinol works by lowering uric acid production. It inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is needed to convert purines into uric acid. With less uric acid circulating, fewer crystals form in joints, reducing the frequency of gout flares over time. This is why it’s used for chronic prevention, not to treat an active attack. Sometimes starting urate-lowering therapy can trigger a flare, so doctors may add a flare-prevention medicine temporarily during initiation. Colchicine helps prevent flares by reducing inflammation, but it does not lower uric acid levels. Fosamax and Permethrin are not used for gout.

Allopurinol works by lowering uric acid production. It inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is needed to convert purines into uric acid. With less uric acid circulating, fewer crystals form in joints, reducing the frequency of gout flares over time. This is why it’s used for chronic prevention, not to treat an active attack. Sometimes starting urate-lowering therapy can trigger a flare, so doctors may add a flare-prevention medicine temporarily during initiation. Colchicine helps prevent flares by reducing inflammation, but it does not lower uric acid levels. Fosamax and Permethrin are not used for gout.