Just to add to the info for @HangletonGull to consider I've been taking Allopurinol for 15 or so years after putting it off for 3 or 4 years of absolute agony. Fingers crossed no attacks and eat what I like (though I am pescatarian these days and haven't touched red meat for that time). I'm pretty sure mine started after a bit of a steak-fest for a few years when I first moved to Scotland and meat was abundant! I've got quite slapdash with taking it over the past couple of years in terms of missing doses etc but hasn't caught up with me yet......overall I think it's worth biting the bullet and taking it. Can't really say I've noticed any side effects.