Gout - Allopurinol and Cherry extract OK to take together?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Is it OK to take Allopurinol and Cherry extract at the same time? I've had gout since I was 18 and I am now 24 and 1 month ago I had another attack. I stopped eating red meat and the kinds of seafood you can't have. My diet has been salad and chicken for the past 3 weeks. But this Saturday I had 2 beers and yesterday I had a beef burger, and I woke up with a tiny bit of pain in my left foot (same spot when I had my latest gout attack). I want to start taking Cherry extract because I heard it's very, very good for gout. How fast does the Cherry extract make the pain go away? Thanks!

Dear JR: The effectiveness of cherry extract has not been proven in the treatment of gout so unfortunately I will not be able to comment on it. There are many marketing companies advertising the product but has not yet been approved by the FDA. Following a diet of limited red meat, avoiding alcohol, and taking plenty of complex carbohydrates and plant based proteins will be more beneficial to you than cherry extract.