PREventative Study Against URate-lowering Drug-induced Gout Exacerbations 1

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female 18 to 80 years of age; * Previously met the preliminary criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) for the classification; of the acute arthritis of primary gout; * At least 2 gout flares in the year prior to the screening visit; * Serum uric acid greater than or equal to 7.5 mg/dL at the screening visit; Exclusion Criteria: * Acute gout flare within 2 weeks of the screening visit or during screening; * Persistent chronic or active infections; * History of an allergic reaction to allopurinol; * History or presence of cancer within 5 years of the screening visit; * Previous exposure to Rilonacept; * Use of allopurinol, benzbromarone, febuxostat, probenecid or sulfinpyrazone within 3 months prior to the screening visit.