Lower The Uric Acid With Gout Medications

Lower The Uric Acid With Gout Medications

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Basically, gout is caused by the increased levels of uric acid in the blood or medically termed as hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is caused by lifestyle factors such as a diet high in purines (shellfish and organ meats among others), genetic predisposition and oversecretion or underexcretion of uric acid. That is why treating gout is mostly directed to lowering uric acid levels. The ceiling level of uric acid in the body should be 6mg/dL (0.35mmol/L).

In order to maintain the ideal levels of the bodys uric acid, there are several urate-lowering therapies available in the market nowadays. To have a better grip of these gout medications, below are three of the most effective medication therapies: the uricosorics, the uric acid inhibitors and the uric acid converters.

Uricosorics Uricosorics medication is the drug of choice if the reduction of the serum urate level is indicated. This gout medication works by helping the body excrete the excess uric acid through dissolving the deposited urate. The following is a list of some of the recommended uricosoric agents:

Probenecid This gout medication acts by inhibiting the renal tubular reabsorption of urate, increasing the urinary excretion of uric acid and retarding urate deposition.

Benzbromarone This drug is banned in some countries due to claims of hepatotoxicity. Benzbromarone is administered when allopurinol fails to produce the desired effect.

Sulphinpyrazone Due to claims of adverse effects, the drug is now rarely prescribed.

Uric acid inhibitors Uric acid inhibitors are usually prescribed if the patient has or is at risk for renal calculi or renal insufficiency. The following is a list of some of the recommended uric acid inhibitors:

Allopurinol This gout medication works by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for the conversion of purines to uric acid, hence, a reduction of serum uric acid levels. As a precaution, encourage patient to increase fluid intake up to three (3) liters per day to decrease the risk of renal stone development.

Febuxostat This drug inhibits xanthine oxidase. Xanthine oxidase is needed to oxidize hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid. The inhibition of xanthine oxidase effectively reduces uric acid levels.

Uric acid converters Although uric acid converters are rarely used, these gout medications are an effective tool to convert excess uric acid into by products that poses no harm and threat to the body. Below is the most common drug used as a uric acid converter:

Rasburicase This gout medication is only used for cancer patients. It converts excess uric acids into allantoin. Allantoin is an inactive metabolite of purine metabolism and is tenfolds more soluble than uric acid, hence an easier excretion through urinary means.

In conclusion, gout medications to lower uric acid are varied to cater to the different needs of individual patients. Hence, do not self-medicate as it may worsen your present condition or adverse effects might occur because of the inappropriateness of the drug choice. It is always best to seek consultation from a medical professional first. Always remember that caution begets safety and incompetent knowledge begets danger. Happy day!


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For interested readers we have some more useful information on our website about Natural Remedies for Gout and Gout Natural Remedies.



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