What Is Allopurinol Failure and What Should We Do About It?

J Rheumatol. 2024 Jun 1;51(6):556-562. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.2024-0144.

Abstract

Allopurinol is the most widely used urate-lowering medication worldwide. However, allopurinol failure is frequently observed in clinical practice. In this review, we provide a framework for assessing allopurinol failure, which includes failure of allopurinol to control serum urate concentrations, failure of allopurinol to control clinical symptoms, and failure of allopurinol due to an adverse drug reaction. Understanding the causes of allopurinol failure underpins the approach required to turn failure into success in gout management.

Keywords: allopurinol; gout.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allopurinol* / adverse effects
  • Allopurinol* / therapeutic use
  • Gout Suppressants* / adverse effects
  • Gout Suppressants* / therapeutic use
  • Gout* / blood
  • Gout* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Treatment Failure*
  • Uric Acid / blood

Substances

  • Allopurinol
  • Gout Suppressants
  • Uric Acid