Allopurinol

Allopurinol is a medication primarily used to manage gout, a form of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness, and tenderness in joints. It is also prescribed for conditions that cause excessive uric acid in the body, such as kidney stones and certain types of kidney disease. Allopurinol works by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is responsible for converting purines—substances found in many foods—into uric acid. By reducing the production of uric acid, allopurinol helps prevent the formation of urate crystals in joints and tissues, thereby alleviating pain and inflammation ...