Final answer:
Allopurinol and colchicine are medications used in the treatment of gout. Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase to prevent and treat acute gout attacks, while colchicine inhibits mitosis to relieve pain and inflammation. Allopurinol may cause bone marrow suppression, and colchicine can be toxic in high doses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Allopurinol and colchicine are both medications used in the treatment of gout. Allopurinol is used to prevent and treat acute gout attacks by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is involved in the production of uric acid. Colchicine, on the other hand, is used to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by gout by inhibiting mitosis and reducing the number of white blood cells.
It is important to note that allopurinol may cause bone marrow suppression, which can lead to a decrease in the production of blood cells. On the other hand, colchicine can be toxic in high doses and can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms.