Gout Forum - Reluctant to Start Allopurinol

Conditions and Diseases > Gout Forum > Reluctant to Start Allopurinol

Gout is a common type of arthritis and accounts for about 5% of all cases of arthritic condition. But what is gout and what are the stages of this condition?...

Q: Reluctant to Start Allopurinol

asked by: pcbrawner on March 10th, 2006

New User

I am reluctant to start allopurinol even though my md prescribed it. I mean from reading the material here...Once started you can never stop and I am not sure I have it severe enough to go on long term medicine to prevent it. Wouldn't I be better off to immediately take baking soda immediately.....And perhaps also indocin when I have the beginnings of an episode? Does this seem reasonable to any of you for a mild/moderate case of gout of the one big toe.

Thanks for a reply.

Replies(3)

Michael_MacUser

replied on March 20th, 2006

New User

My doctor first prescribed allopurinol for my gout about 10 years ago. I also read you need to take it forever, but in that time I have only taken it when I start to feel an attack coming on. I take 1 a day for a few days and have never had a severe attack since. I have gone years in between taking any. So although I am not a doctor I am a patient who has used allopurinol and I see no reason to have to take it every day if you're not experiencing any attacks.

pcbrawner

replied on March 20th, 2006

New User

Wow that would be great news, michael. Can you tell me what doseage you take on those occasions when you take allopurinol and how long...Say a total of x per day for x number of days?

Thanks for the good news. I think we both have fairly mild conditions ... Maybe that is the key issue.

Pcbrawner

Michael_MacUser

replied on March 20th, 2006

New User

I've been fortunate and haven't taken any in the last 3 years. If I needed it my doctor would give me a new prescription. Sorry I don't recall what the dosage was but, 250 mg is what I believe it was. I took one a day when I felt an attack starting.

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