May 22, 2008

Gout Medications – For Preventing Deposition of Uric Acid Crystals In The Joints

Posted in Category : Bone, Joint & Muscles Disorders

Gout is a type of arthritis in which uric acid crystals, or monosodium urate gets deposited on the cartilages, tendons and the nearby tissues of the joints. This happens when their level in the blood is elevated i.e. increased beyond limit. This condition causes inflammation in these regions. This is similar to the arthritis and therefore often mistaken to be just regular type of arthritis. Gout medications can be used in order to reduce the symptoms of gouty arthritis.

There are four types of gout medications, used during the treatment of gout. These are the ones that reduce pain, second are those that dissolve and remove the already deposited crystals from the joints, and the third are the ones that prevent the further deposition of the crystals in the joints.

The drugs as indomethacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or glucocorticoids are used for treating gout. The glucocorticoids are given either orally or through an injection. Separate types of each i.e. oral and non-oral are available.

One of the most important drugs among the gout medications is the colchicines. It was the prime drug in the earlier days. It does several tasks as it removes the deposited crystals, provides relief from pain, and prevents the further deposition of these crystals. This is also useful when an attack of gout occurs. If it is taken within the first 12 hours of, the attack and it can provide relief within just 48 hours.

However, there are some side effects associated with it. These are in can diarrhea, nausea and other gastrointestinal problems.

In addition to this to these gout medications, the some other instant pain relievers as aspirin, ibuprofen, are necessary. This is because the attack from gout is very severe and therefore the paint experiences an acute pain. Therefore, in such situations it is not possible to wait until the medical help. Using these medications, the patient is provided a temporary relief.

Acetazolamide can be used as one of the gout medications. It indirectly stimulates the excretion of the uric acid through the urine.

On the other hand, some drugs are available which can be used as the gout medications for prevention of gout. They are Allupurinol, Sulfinpyrazone, Allopurinol, Azanthioprine i.e. Imuran, Febuxostat, Probenecid, Isortan, PEG-uricase, Sodium Bicarbonate, etc. All these gout medications help in restoring the level of uric acid in the blood.

However, only the gout medications are not enough for completely curing gout. If a person is suffering from gout then he needs to make some changes in his diet as well. For example, reduction in the intake of purines is one such change, which will prove to be useful.