
Gout
Hyperuricemia occur through two mechanisms:
excessive uric acid production
impaired renal excretion of uric acid
Gout progresses through four stages :
• Asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
• Attacks of gouty arthritis.
• Asymptomatic intercritical period, in which symptoms subside.
• Tophaceous gout , is characterized by development of tophi in joints.
Drugs for gout
1- Colchicine
anti-inflammatory agent
specific for gout
not an analgesic
Mechanism of action:
An important contributory action is inhibition of leucocytes infiltration
Pharmacokinetics:
rapidly absorbed after oral administration
enter entero-hepatic circulation
Excreted in the feces
Therapeutic uses:
treat acute gouty attacks
reduce the incidence of attacks in chronic gout ,
abort an impending attack
Adverse effects:
nausea ,vomiting, diarrhea
In IV administration ,extravasation can cause local necrosis
it should be avoided during pregnancy
2- Allopurinol
MOH:
Allopurinol and its active metabolite –alloxanthine- reduce uric acid production, by inhibition of
xanthine oxidase , an enzyme required for uric acid formation.
Uses:
Chronic tophaceous gout (drug of choice)
Secondary hyperuricemia

Adverse effects:
hypersensitivity syndrome
GI reactions
( nausea, vomiting , abdominal discomfort )
neurological effects (
drowsiness , headache, metallic taste)
cataracts
3- Indomethacin
Is an NSAID used to treat acute gouty arthritis
the drug efficacy is equivalent to that of colchicine
it does not reduce hyperuricemia, it suppresses inflammation
4- Probenecid
Act on renal tubules to inhibit reabsorption of uric acid
prevents formation of new tophi
facilitate regression of tophi that have already formed
may exacerbate acute episodes of gout
may precipitate an acute gouty attack (add colchicines or indomethacin to prevent it)
Adverse effects:
1. Mild GIT effects ( nausea, vomiting, anorexia)
2. Hypersensitivity reactions
3. Renal injury
5- Sulphinpyrazone
Like probenecid
uricosuric agent
reduce hyperuricemia in patients with chronic gout
lacks anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
During the first months of therapy, may precipitate an acute gouty attack
Adverse effects :
1. GIT effects
2. exacerbate GI ulcers
3. risk of deposition of urate in the kidney