This study compared the effects of azapropazone and indomethacin plus allopurinol in the management of acute gout and hyperuricaemia. A group of 93 patients predominantly based in general practice were randomly allocated to the two treatment regimens (azapropazone (days 1-225) or indomethacin (1-28) followed by allopurinol (29-225)) on a double-blind double dummy basis. Azapropazone produced a substantial reduction in serum uric acid levels by day 4 compared with day 1 (P<0.002) and was superior to indomethacin with regard to recorded levels of serum uric acid at day 4 (P<0.01) and day 28 (P<0.05). From day 28 onwards allopurinol produced and azapropazone maintained similar reductions in serum uric acid. Both treatments rapidly controlled the initial acute attacks of gout and both produced side effects similar in frequency and nature. Fewer breakthrough attacks of gout occurred in the azapropazone group (12) than the indomethacin/allopurinol group (21).Although the results achieved in both treatment groups were similar it has been shown that azapropazone is effective monotherapy for controlling both acute attacks of gout and hyperuricaemia.