What condition does allopurinol primarily treat?

Allopurinol is primarily used to manage gout, a type of arthritis characterized by sudden and severe pain, redness, and swelling in the joints, often caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. Allopurinol works by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in the production of uric acid. By reducing uric acid levels, it helps prevent the formation of urate crystals in the joints, which can lead to painful attacks associated with gout.

In contrast, other conditions listed, such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, are treated with different classes of medications specifically targeting their respective pathways and symptoms. For instance, hypertension is managed with antihypertensives, diabetes with insulin or oral hypoglycemics, and asthma with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications. Thus, allopurinol's connection to gout clearly distinguishes it as the correct choice.