Millie
Allopurinol is a very good medicine for gout. It is not a question of "how long it takes to work"; this drug is a preventive, not a cure. It prevents the formation of uric acid in the body. The pain of gout is caused by the deposit of uric acid crystals in the joint. Once the pain has started, allopurinol does not relieve it. My husband has taken this drug for years with no side effects, and it has been very effective in preventing episodes of gout.