Does PV or taking HU cause gout

[Meatloaf9]

Hello and thank you to everyone who answered my question about Hu and sun exposure, will have a few more questions when I visit the heme this week.

I am 71 PV and just started HU 10 days ago will see the results late this week.

I was given a prescription for allopurinol at the same time as I was given the HU prescription. I was told it was to prevent gout.

My question, is it routine that everyone who either has PV or is taking HU for PV been prescribed allopurinol? Does it prevent gout in PV patients? Have any patients with PV or those taking HU developed gout?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Rachelthepotter]

Its pretty standard to be given allopurinoll with HU ( and ruxolitinib, too). Anything that has a cytoreductive effect can give you gout symptoms. I’n glad you’re getting good care.

[Meatloaf9 in reply to Rachelthepotter]

Thank you for your response. Guess I will have to get the Rx filled. Good luck to you.

[Otterfield]

I was prescribed Allopurinol when I was first diagnosed. It was explained to me that gout can result from a rapid reduction in platelets which happens as treatment begins. I was only on it for a short time (20 years ago).

[Meatloaf9 in reply to Otterfield]

Thanks for your reply, being on it for only a short time sounds much better to me. Good luck to you going forward.

[mhos61]

I wasn’t prescribed allopurinol when started on hydrea. Otterfield’s response makes sense for me, as my platelets were only 500 to start with.

[Meatloaf9 in reply to mhos61]

Thanks for your comment, best to you.

[Red64 in reply to Meatloaf9]

I was put on hydroxy 6 weeks ago and was prescribed allupurrinoll for 2 months and was told it would be short term only

[Meatloaf9 in reply to Red64]

Thanks, I hope it will be only for a short time, I already take 7 prescriptions. Best to you.

[Tico]

I was prescribed allopurinol for 2 weeks when I was diagnosed with Et. I was told this was normal protocol when first starting Hydrea. Tina.🤗

[Meatloaf9]

Thank you , I will have to get the Rx filled at least for a short time it looks like. Don't want another Rx for life. Good luck to you going forward.

[hunter5582]

I am glad others weighed in on this as I have never heard of being offered allopurinol with HU. I guess it could make sense since HU can cause renal impairment. The erythrocytosis associated with PV can also cause an elevation in uric acid. Perhaps that is related as the breakdown of RBCs can elevate uric acid. In the absence of measured elevation in uric acid, I am not sure it makes sense to take another drug.

I did look into PV and gout as I was experiencing pain and swelling in my feet, particularly the big toe. It made me wonder about gout. The MPN Specialist and my nephrologist both said NO to that. In fact, it was a direct symptom of the PV - a microvascular issue. When I resumed taking aspirin (a longer story) the symptom disappeared.

Not sure what to say other than that. If you have questions about the HU and its potential side effects, best to review them with a MPN Specialist. There are other options for PV treatment if you wish to pursue them. I hope others will say more about his as it is not something I have heard reference to before. We learn more by sharing.

All the best.

[Meatloaf9 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks for joining in hunter. Hopefully will get more comments on this. Looks like quite a few people were given allopurinol for a short course of treatment when started on Hu. Good luck to you always.

[hunter5582 in reply to Meatloaf9]

Will be interesting to learn more. That is one of the great things about this forum. We really are stronger (and better informed) together.

[Tomsgranny]

Yes, I was given alluriprinol at the beginning to help with the gout symptoms. But, two years later, I still have burning pains in my toes, which I’m told is erythromelalgia. Just another irritant, along with fatigue, breathlessness and headaches! Heyho.

[Meatloaf9 in reply to Tomsgranny]

Thank you Tomsgranny, looks like many patients were given allopurinol at the beginning of treatment at least for a short course, I did not see any that were on it long term. Good luck to you with the many symptoms you are experiencing. Best always.

[john0084]

At the same time as reading your post my big toes became red and sore, so after reading your replies I took a disprin 300mg, and a day later it's a lot better. So a big thanks to everyone

[Meatloaf9]

Thanks for the post. Good luck with the toes. Might want to get uric acid levels in blood checked. I think that is how they check for gout. Gout can cause a lot of problems if left unchecked. Best to you.

[67Red]

Having suffered from Gout prior to my MF diagnosis I would definitely take the Allopurinol as Gout despite the jokes is a crippling condition - for example I am in my early 50's and was unable to walk for 7 weeks due to it. I am now also on Allopurinol but a curious aspect of it is doctors will not prescribe during an attack of Gout due to possibly inflaming the condition.

[Meatloaf9 in reply to 67Red]

Hi Red, thanks for sharing the information, good to know. So sorry to hear of your MF diagnosis. Best wishes to you when you go for the transplant. Good luck always.