Oral allopurinol desensitization

Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is an effective urate-lowering drug. Unlike majority of patients tolerate allopurinol well, in 2% of patients receiving allopurinol, hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. In this case a 71-year-old woman with tophaceous gout since 10 years ago, presented to our rheumatology clinic. Because of occurring hypersensitivity reactions, allopurinol was discontinued and disease worsened despite administration of colchicine. She was admitted several times due to flare up of gout. Other forms of allopurinol are not available in Iran, so we decided to conduct an allopurinol desensitization protocol with tablets form. Side effects have not been reported yet.