Alllopurinol reduces the amount of uric acid your body produces.
Sulfinpyrazone encourages your body to excrete more uric acid.
The objectives for all uric acid lowering treatments, including these two, follow 2 phases.
During Phase 1, the blood uric acid level must be maintained below 6mg/dL. This allows gout crystals in the body to dissolve, which removes the source of gout pain. This phase can take a year or more, during which time you may get gout flares, which should be treated by appropriate pain relief. The end of phase 1 is signallled by no gout flares for a given period of months.
During phase 2, uric acid level must be maintained below 7mg/dL.
Dosage and frequency of testing needs the input of someone with experience of effective treatment of gout. That is why I recommend a rheumatologist, because with proper treatment and monitoring, you should be living a life free from gout pain.
It is vital, once you start uric acid lowering therapy, that you do not stop, unless advised by your doctor. For anyone planning to start uric acid lowering therapy, doctors usually advise waiting until a gout flare recedes before starting. However, and I repeat because this is important, once you start, do not stop.
I have used a uric acid test machine very effectively at home. This is not a replacement for frequent testing by your doctor, but it is very useful for reassurance between visits. Don't forget that, during Phase 1 in particular, if your uric acid level rises above the limits, then you risk undoing all the good work you have done.
There are no half measures with uric acid lowering drugs. Either you take the right dose to lower uric acid levels properly, or you waste your time.