NutriStack
Allopurinol and Vitamin C, a synergy.
Allopurinol promotes oxidative stress that can deplete plasma ascorbate levels. Vitamin C supplementation may help offset this depletion and provide additional modest uricosuric effects. However, a clinical trial found that vitamin C 500 mg/day had no clinically significant urate-lowering effect in established gout patients, whether used alone or with allopurinol. The primary benefit of vitamin C with allopurinol may be antioxidant support rather than uric acid lowering.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Allopurinol and Vitamin C
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 4 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Moderate evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Allopurinol promotes oxidative stress that can deplete plasma ascorbate levels. Vitamin C supplementation may help offset this depletion and provide additional modest uricosuric effects. However, a clinical trial found that vitamin C 500 mg/day had no clinically significant urate-lowering effect in established gout patients, whether used alone or with allopurinol. The primary benefit of vitamin C with allopurinol may be antioxidant support rather than uric acid lowering.
Mechanism. Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, which also plays a role in generating reactive oxygen species. However, downstream metabolic changes can increase oxidative stress through alternative pathways, depleting endogenous antioxidants including ascorbate. Vitamin C provides antioxidant support and has a mild uricosuric effect by competing with uric acid reabsorption at URAT1 transporters in the proximal tubule.
Recommendation. Vitamin C supplementation (500-1000 mg/day) is safe with allopurinol and may help replenish ascorbate depleted by allopurinol-related oxidative stress. Do not rely on vitamin C as a substitute for allopurinol in treating gout. No dose adjustment or timing separation is needed.
Sources (4)
- Stamp LK et al. Clinically insignificant effect of supplemental vitamin C on serum urate in patients with gout: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2013;65(6):1636-1642. PMID 23417481
- Bayu P, Wibisono JJ. Vitamin C and E antioxidant supplementation may significantly reduce pain symptoms in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. PLoS One. 2024. PMID 38820340
- Wen C, Li Y, Hu Q et al.. IV Vitamin C in Sepsis: A Latest Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2023. PMID 36743822
- Jenkins DJA, Spence JD, Giovannucci EL et al.. Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment: JACC Focus Seminar.. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2021. PMID 33509399
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Allopurinol and Vitamin C are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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