A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
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HYPERURICAEMIA AND GOUT 173<br />
Pharmacokinetics<br />
Allopurinol is well absorbed. Hepatic metabolism yields oxypurinol,<br />
itself a weak xanthine oxidase inhibitor.<br />
Drug interactions<br />
• Allopurinol decreases the breakdown <strong>of</strong> 6-mercaptopurine<br />
(the active metabolite <strong>of</strong> azathioprine) with a potential for<br />
severe toxicity (haematopoietic <strong>and</strong> mucosal).<br />
• Metabolism <strong>of</strong> warfarin is inhibited.<br />
URICOSURIC DRUGS<br />
Use<br />
These drugs (e.g. sulfinpyrazone, probenecid) have been<br />
largely superseded by allopurinol, but are useful for patients<br />
who require prophylactic therapy <strong>and</strong> who have severe<br />
adverse reactions to allopurinol. Uricosuric drugs inhibit<br />
active transport <strong>of</strong> organic acids by renal tubules (Chapter 6).<br />
Their main effect on the h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>of</strong> uric acid by the kidney is<br />
to prevent the reabsorption <strong>of</strong> filtered uric acid by the proximal<br />
tubule, thus greatly increasing excretion. Probenecid can<br />
precipitate an acute attack <strong>of</strong> gout. Sulfinpyrazone is a weak<br />
NSAID in its own right, <strong>and</strong> a flare <strong>of</strong> gout is less likely to occur<br />
when using it. Unlike other NSAIDs, there is also evidence that<br />
it has a clinically useful antiplatelet action. The patient should<br />
drink enough water to have a urine output <strong>of</strong> 2 L/day during<br />
the first month <strong>of</strong> treatment <strong>and</strong> a sodium bicarbonate or<br />
potassium citrate mixture should be given to keep the urinary<br />
pH above 7.0 to avoid precipitation <strong>of</strong> uric acid stones. Other<br />
adverse effects include rashes <strong>and</strong> gastro-intestinal upsets.<br />
Case history<br />
A 45-year-old publican presents to a locum GP with symptoms<br />
<strong>of</strong> a painful, swollen <strong>and</strong> red big toe. There is a history<br />
<strong>of</strong> essential hypertension, <strong>and</strong> he has had a similar but less<br />
severe attack three months previously which settled spontaneously.<br />
Following this, serum urate concentrations were<br />
determined <strong>and</strong> found to be within the normal range. His<br />
toe is now inflamed <strong>and</strong> exquisitely tender. His blood pressure<br />
is 180/106 mmHg, but the examination is otherwise<br />
unremarkable. The locum is concerned that treatment with<br />
an NSAID might increase the patient’s blood pressure, <strong>and</strong><br />
that, since his uric acid was recently found to be normal, he<br />
might not have gout. He therefore prescribes cocodamol for<br />
the pain <strong>and</strong> repeated the serum urate measurement. The<br />
patient returns the following day unimproved, having spent<br />
a sleepless night, <strong>and</strong> you see him yourself for the first time.<br />
The examination is as described by your locum, <strong>and</strong> serum<br />
urate remains normal. What would you do<br />
Comment<br />
Normal serum urate does not exclude gout. The patient<br />
requires treatment with an NSAID, such as ibupr<strong>of</strong>en. Review<br />
his medication (is he on a diuretic for his hypertension) <strong>and</strong><br />
enquire about his alcohol consumption. Blood pressure is<br />
commonly increased by acute pain. Despite his occupation,<br />
the patient does not drink alcohol <strong>and</strong> he was receiving bendr<strong>of</strong>lumethiazide<br />
for hypertension. This was discontinued,<br />
amlodipine was substituted <strong>and</strong> his blood pressure fell to<br />
162/100 mmHg during treatment with ibupr<strong>of</strong>en. A short<br />
period <strong>of</strong> poor antihypertensive control in this setting is not<br />
<strong>of</strong> great importance. After the pain has settled <strong>and</strong> ibupr<strong>of</strong>en<br />
stopped, the patient’s blood pressure decreases further to<br />
140/84 mmHg on amlodipine. He did not have any recurrence<br />
<strong>of</strong> gout. (Only if recurrent gout was a problem would prophylactic<br />
treatment with allopurinol be worth considering.)<br />
RASBURICASE<br />
Rasburicase, a recently introduced preparation <strong>of</strong> recombinant<br />
xanthine oxidase, is used to prevent complications <strong>of</strong> acute<br />
hyperuricaemia in leukaemia therapy, especially in children.<br />
Key points<br />
Gout<br />
• Gout is caused by an inflammatory reaction to<br />
precipitated crystals <strong>of</strong> uric acid.<br />
• Always consider possible contributing factors, including<br />
drugs (especially diuretics) <strong>and</strong> ethanol.<br />
• Treatment <strong>of</strong> the acute attack:<br />
– NSAIDs (e.g. ibupr<strong>of</strong>en);<br />
– colchicine (useful in cases where NSAIDs are<br />
contraindicated).<br />
• prophylaxis (for recurrent disease or tophaceous gout):<br />
– allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor) is only<br />
started well after the acute attack has resolved <strong>and</strong><br />
with NSAID cover to prevent a flare;<br />
– uricosuric drugs (e.g. sulfinpyrazone, which has<br />
additional NSAID <strong>and</strong> antiplatelet actions) are less<br />
effective than allopurinol. They are a useful<br />
alternative when allopurinol causes severe adverse<br />
effects (e.g. rashes). A high output <strong>of</strong> alkaline urine<br />
should be maintained to prevent stone formation.<br />
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