Gout – Treatment and Drugs
It is caused when the body produces excess uric acid.
The kidneys are not able to filter uric acid.
The uric acid forms sharp crystals.
They deposit in the joints.
A sudden pain usually starts in the toe.
What are the higher levels of uric acid?
- 7mg/dl for adult men
- 6mg/dl for adult women
Uric acid levels at 10mg /dl is an emergency condition.
It requires immediate attention.
What are the signs of Gout?
- Sharp pain in the joints
- Warmth or swelling around the joint
- Difficulty in moving the joint.
- The joints get red, puffy, dark, and painful
- Joint stiffness
What are the causes of Gout?
Gout is hyperuricemia. It is a condition due to excessive uric acid buildup in the blood.
It is the extra uric acid production.
It is also caused by reduced renal clearance.
The risk factors include-
Family history – Gout runs in families.
Any close member having gout increases the risk in the family.
Diet – Eating red meat and beverages with excess sugar/fructose increase uric acid levels.
Weight – Obese people make excess uric acid.
The extra uric acid is not excreted from the body.
Chronic disorders- Metabolic disorders like BP, diabetes, etc. increase the risk of gout.
These alter the renal filtration rate.
Older age – Males are likely to develop gout at an age of 30 -40 years.
Females usually develop gout after the age of 60.
The risk increases after menopause.
Surgery or injury – Gout may be caused by physical stress on the kidneys.
Dehydration or blood loss causes volume depletion.
It causes hypoxia in the cells, leading to cell death.
Kidney disorders – Any damage or impaired kidney function may increase the risk of high uric acid.
What are the complications of High uric acid?
- Recurrent gout- Gout precipitates several times in a year.
- Kidney stones – The recurrent gout may lead to the formation of kidney stones.
- Severe arthritis – It can trigger the arthritis /joint pain or inflammation.
- Tophi formation – The uric acid crystals may deposit under the skin.
- Frequent joint stiffness and pain– The crystals deposit in the joints, causing joint pain and inflammation.
How to manage uric acid?
Lifestyle changes –
- Keep the weight in balance
- Exercises without overexertion
- Manage stress levels
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption
Medications –
Drugs to lower uric acid-
Allopurinol- It blocks the enzyme xanthine oxidase.
It inhibits the secretion of uric acid.
Febuxostat- It is given to inhibit the secretion of uric acid.
It is given as an alternative to allopurinol.
Pain-relieving drugs-
These are used to relieve acute gout attacks.
These inhibit the pain and inflammation caused
Increasing uric acid excretion –
These stops the uric acid absorption in the kidney.
It aids in uric acid excretion.
- Probenecid
- Benzbromarone
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturer with Global Export
Aprazer Healthcare is the contract drug manufacturer.
We manufacture and export the widest range of drugs worldwide.
Our manufacturing capabilities are WHO-GMP/EU-GMP licensed.
Expanding our portfolio, we manufacture a wide range of generic and branded drugs.
Focused on rheumatology and joint health, our product portfolio comprises-
- Rheumatology medicines manufacturer
- Gout medicines
