Which drug reduces uric acid production and is used as a urate-lowering therapy?

• A. Allopurinol
• B. Colchicine
• C. Probenecid
• D. NSAIDs

Answer: (A)

Blocking the enzyme that makes uric acid lowers its production. Allopurinol works by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that converts purine metabolites into uric acid. By reducing this step, uric acid levels fall over time, making it a true urate-lowering therapy for chronic gout and hyperuricemia (and it’s also used to prevent tumor lysis–related uric acid buildup).

Colchicine treats gout by reducing inflammation during attacks; it does not decrease uric acid production. Probenecid, on the other hand, increases renal excretion of uric acid, lowering serum urate by elimination rather than production. NSAIDs provide pain relief during flares but don’t affect uric acid synthesis or excretion.