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Allopurinol initiation timing — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateMusculoskeletal TherapeuticsAllopurinol initiation timingGPhC CRA

A patient has an acute gout flare today and presents a new prescription for allopurinol from an out-of-hours prescriber. They are in severe pain. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Clarify initiation plan because starting during an acute flare may worsen symptoms

Allopurinol is long-term urate-lowering therapy and initiation is usually planned with flare prophylaxis. Acute pain treatment and prescriber clarification are needed. In this scenario, the correct option is clarify initiation plan because starting during an acute flare may worsen symptoms. The other options are plausible but do not address the key clinical, legal or safety issue as directly. This aligns with UK pharmacy practice guidance cited in the reference field.

Reference: NICE CKS; BNF