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[Feedback from Uloric (Febuxostat) Versus Allopurinol in answer to the question: Has this gout information helped you?]
——-Can a person change back and forth between febuxostat and allopurinol? not to actually change back and forth but if you change is there an issue. Thanks
That’s a great question about febuxostat and allopurinol, Ralf. I’m left wondering why you ask, but the short answer is Yes!
Though the exact mechanisms are different, allopurinol and febuxostat both work by inhibiting our natural production of Xanthine Oxidase (XO). XO is the hormone responsible for producing uric acid. Therefore, even if one is an under-excreter, rather than an over-producer of uric acid, XO inhibitors will reduce uric acid.
Normally, unless genetic screening for high-risk groups suggests otherwise, allopurinol is the first choice. This is because it is cheaper and has a long safety record. Conscientious prescribing dictates that doctors test for kidney function and liver function, as well as uric acid, withing 2 to 4 weeks of starting any uric acid lowering treatment. They should also test whenever dose is changed, and always at least once per year. If physical adverse effects, or those blood test results show that the patient might suffer side effects, then the doctor can switch at will.
One related topic that I’ve never seen mentioned is whether you can take both at the same time. I think the circumstances that would involve such a choice would mean that the patient was a very special case.
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