Quick take
The useful answer first.
01Changing urate levels can destabilise existing crystal deposits for a time.
02Allopurinol lowers urate; it is not an acute painkiller.
03Prescribers may use separate flare-prevention strategies.
The context
What sits behind the quick answer.
An early flare does not automatically mean allopurinol is making gout worse
When urate levels start changing, existing crystal deposits can become unstable and trigger flares for a time.
Allopurinol has a long-term job
It lowers uric acid over time; it is not a painkiller for an active flare. Prescribers may use separate flare-prevention or flare-treatment strategies.
Do not stop it because of a webpage
Questions about dose, side effects or flares should go back to the clinician or pharmacist managing your treatment.
In real life
How to use this without overthinking it.
1Do not stop prescribed allopurinol because of this page.
2Record the flare and recent urate results.
3Ask the prescriber about flare prevention, dose and target.
Evidence & safety
Keep the boundaries clear.
GoutSense separates general evidence from individual medical advice. Food and lifestyle context can be useful, but it does not diagnose gout and should not be used to start, stop or alter prescribed medication.
Evidence review: September 2026Editorial standard: practical answer → evidence → limitations