A pilot study to investigate the effect of the drug allopurinol on vascular health

There is increasing evidence that allopurinol could improve vascular health and reduce the risk of stroke. This drug is currently used to treat an arthritis called gout. We have already performed a small trial to confirm that it is safe to administer after stroke, and now hope to gain evidence that allopurinol will benefit stroke patients.

We plan a trial which will monitor the effect of allopurinol on blood and ultrasound measures of vascular health. These measures are widely used and if we see improvements in them it will compel us to perform a big trial where we measure actual stroke rates and risk.

This research is a key step in the evaluation of a potential and much needed new preventative treatment. If allopurinol is effective it could be readily incorporated into practice as it is a safe, well established and cheap drug.

Scientific title: The effect of allopurinol on carotid intima-media thickness and markers of endothelial function in patients with recent stroke - a pilot study

Classification:
Prevention, Clinical Pharmacology

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