allopurinol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical, medical
Quick answer
What does “allopurinol” mean?
A drug used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones by reducing uric acid production.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drug used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones by reducing uric acid production.
A xanthine oxidase inhibitor prescribed for the long-term management of conditions caused by excessive uric acid, such as gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia. It is also used to prevent uric acid buildup during chemotherapy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA). No lexical alternatives.
Connotations
Purely clinical/medical in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard within medical contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “allopurinol” in a Sentence
The doctor prescribed allopurinol [to the patient].The patient was started on allopurinol.Allopurinol is used [for gout/treating gout].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical manufacturing or healthcare industry reports.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, and biochemistry research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually unused outside of patient-doctor conversations or personal medical contexts.
Technical
The primary register. Standard term in clinical guidelines, prescription notes, and pharmacology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “allopurinol”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “allopurinol”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allopurinol”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., 'allo-PURE-in-ol').
- Confusing it with 'allopurinol' as an adjective (it is only a noun).
- Misspelling as 'alopurinol'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used long-term to prevent gout attacks and kidney stones by lowering uric acid levels in the blood.
No, it is not a painkiller. It is a preventive medication that works over time to reduce the cause of gout pain.
Alcohol can increase uric acid levels and may reduce the effectiveness of allopurinol, so consumption is usually discouraged.
As uric acid levels initially change, it can trigger a gout flare. Doctors often prescribe a second medication (like colchicine) to prevent this when starting allopurinol.
A drug used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones by reducing uric acid production.
Allopurinol is usually technical, medical in register.
Allopurinol: in British English it is pronounced /ˌalə(ʊ)ˈpjʊərɪnɒl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæloʊˈpjʊrɪnɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALL Other PURINes are NOLonger a problem' because allopurinol stops the body from making too many purines into uric acid.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR CHEMICALS (it blocks a specific metabolic pathway).
Practice
Quiz
Allopurinol is primarily used to treat which condition?