Can allopurinol tablets lower uric acid?

Mar 30, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Hello doctor, I recently went to the hospital and was found to have high uric acid levels. I would like to ask whether allopurinol tablets can lower uric acid?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Mingchuan
Allopurinol tablets are a medication used alone or in combination with other drugs, primarily indicated for the management of chronic gout and other conditions caused by urate crystal deposition, such as gouty arthritis and kidney stones. Structurally, allopurinol closely resembles uric acid in terms of molecular size and solubility. Therefore, some clinical studies have shown that allopurinol can reduce serum uric acid levels and alleviate symptoms such as fever, pain, and functional impairment in patients. However, regular monitoring is still required when using allopurinol to lower uric acid levels. Typically, physicians proactively schedule periodic uric acid tests to ensure that allopurinol effectively reduces uric acid levels and maintains them within a normal range. If a patient's uric acid levels remain elevated, the physician may adjust the drug dosage or switch to another more effective treatment regimen to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.