Evaluation of Regular Gout Medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs is frequently prescribed so as to decrease the inflammation and pain alleviation related to acute gout attacks. They are taken to avert the recurrence of gout attacks and also to decrease the pain when attacks emerge.
The patient must seek help from their physicians about these several medications, and see to it that you have the appropriate diagnostic examinations to gauge the uric acid levels within the body. These diagnostic exams involve the extraction of synovial fluid sample from the affected joint (arthrocentesis) or a simple urinalysis exam. Without the proper diagnostic exams, it is very difficult to draw the appropriate decisions concerning the medication choice and progress is hard to monitor. The patient must see to it that he understands any probable possibilities and possible side effects prior to commencing treatment. Two gout treatments that are frequently prescribed for patients with gout are febuxostat and allopurinol.
Allopurinol is prescribed to be taken orally via tablet type. This drug was designed to be taken in small doses, initially. It is slowly increased so as to manage the levels of uric acid inside the body. Allopurinol works by averting the release of xantine axidase by the body, which puts off uric acid production. As gouty attacks are due to the crystallization of uric acid that builds up in the affected joints, averting the production of uric acid will make allopurinol an efficient means of managing and preventing the disease.
During the consumption of allopurinol, patients will commonly have a normal uric acid levels within two to five weeks, and they must witness a decrease in the episodes of their attacks. It is essential to sustain a regular physician's visit so that levels of uric acid inside the body may be carefully controlled. A usual reaction to this drug involves skin rashes because of allergic reactions.
Febuxostat is as well taken via oral route but only taken once per day and it is intended to cease xanthine oxidase production. The regular dose of this drug is 80 mg, with or with no food. A decrease in gouty attacks must take place during its second week, but more frequently at the fourth week of treatment. Side effects accounted for this drug involves diarrhoea, nausea, and headache.