Xanthine oxidase inhibitors
- Block uric-acid formation
- Allopurinol/febuxostat are prototypes
- First-line urate-lowering strategy in gout
- Start low and titrate to serum urate target
- Allopurinol can dangerously raise thiopurines
- They prevent flares long-term—not abort acute pain
Class at a glance
- Block uric-acid formation
Practical pearls
- Allopurinol/febuxostat are prototypes
Clinical role
- First-line urate-lowering strategy in gout
- Start low and titrate to serum urate target
- They prevent flares long-term—not abort acute pain
Other practical pearls
- Allopurinol can dangerously raise thiopurines
Self-check
- Which drug class is first-line for urate-lowering strategy in gout?
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors. - Do xanthine oxidase inhibitors abort acute gout pain?
No; they prevent flares long-term.
Drugs in this class (2)
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Gout meds (1918–2026). Xanthine oxidase inhibitor highlighted from 1966.
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