Gout Medication Side Effects

A sudden and intense pain in a joint, mostly in the foot, is experienced during a gout attack. The pain may be experienced for few hours or for several days and it may disappear even if untreated. Gout is a type of arthritis and it attacks joints. Inflammation of joints and sudden unbearable joint pain are the main symptoms of gout.

What Causes Gout?
Gout attacks are experienced when uric acid levels in blood rise abnormally. Uric acid is produced during the breakdown of purines, the compounds that are naturally present in human tissues. As excessive uric acid accumulates in the crevices of joints or around the tissues in joints, it causes inflammation and pain. It has been observed that men are more affected by gout than women. Gout requires prompt medication because if neglected, uric acid crystals can harden and can turn into hard lumps called 'tophi' which can be felt in the joints or under the skin. Kidney stones or kidney failure can also cause gout.

Gout Medication
As excessive uric acid production results in gout, the doctor may advise the patient to take medications like zyloprim, that prevents the body from making too much uric acid. Corticosteroids like triamcinolone, prednisone and prednisolone can be injected directly into the joints to alleviate the pain. To encourage the elimination of uric acid through urine, the doctor may prescribe probalan, a gout medication that can activate the kidneys to filter out more uric acid. This helps lower elevated uric acid levels. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), specifically indomethacin, colchicine, corticosteroids, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), allopurinol, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, etc. constitute the medication regimen for gout. Gout medication aims at terminating acute gout attacks, quick and safe relief of joint pain and joint inflammation, preventing future attacks, and avoiding further health complications (formation of tophi, kidney stones, and joint deformity).

Side Effects of Gout Medication
Allopurinol side effects include diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, hair loss, stomach pain, headache, joint pain, vomiting, and dizziness. Skin rash, blood in urine and stool, black stool, fever, chills, sore throat, painful or difficult urination, numbness or tingling sensation in hands or feet, muscle pain, fatigue, mouth and lip sores or ulcers, easy bruising and bleeding, jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, wheezing and seizures are some serious side effects of allopurinol. Allergic reaction may result in itching, skin rash, hives, swelling of the face lips or tongue, breathing difficulties, which should be immediately reported to a physician. Certain medications like amoxicillin, ampicillin, dicumarol, warfarin, chlorpropamide, etc., may interact with allopurinol and worsen or aggravate its side effects. So you need to tell your doctor about your routine medication and if you are already suffering from some medical conditions like, liver and kidney diseases, congestive heart failure, diabetes and high blood pressure, then never take allopurinol without consulting your doctor. Not all, but a few patients may notice allopurinol side effects.

Common but mild side effects of colchicine are many times noticed in patients suffering from gout. They include diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, that can affect approximately 80% of patients. Some patients may experience colchicine toxicity, which can result in muscle weakness, kidney failure, respiratory failure and hypovolemic shock. Long term use of colchicine can result in serious conditions like pancytopenia (reduction of the number of blood cells), leukopenia (abnormal low count of white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (reduction of the count of platelets), aplastic anemia and bone marrow damage, hindering the formation of blood cells (which can lead to anemia). Long term use of cochicine may cause glomerulonephritis and chronic and acute renal failure. Again, many gout patients may experience hair loss, headache, sore gums, and allergic reactions like, skin rash or hives and breathing difficulties. Certain drugs like erythromycin, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, quinidine, telithromycin, etc. may interact with colchicine and increase the severity of its side effects. Erythromycin can affect the metabolism of colchicine and increase its level in the blood, thereby, aggravating the side effects. People who have blood disorders, bowel disease, nerve problems, stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems, kidney diseases, are more likely to develop complications after ingesting colchicine. They should consult their physician before taking colchicine. Overuse of corticosteroid injections can cause weakening of cartilage and deterioration of joints. NSAIDs do not decrease the amount of uric acid found in the body.

Dietary Alterations
Avoiding purine-rich foods is the best way of controlling gout. Increased fluid intake, reduced alcohol consumption, and medications to reduce hyperuricemia can together help prevent gout. Overweight people may first try to lose weight, as this can help control the disease. Consuming less purines through external food sources, is essential to lower gout symptoms. This requires staying away from purine rich foods.

Maintaining healthy uric acid levels is absolutely essential in order to prevent frequent gout attacks or recurrence of gout symptoms. Properly designed gout diet plays an important role in preventing the recurrence of joint inflammation. Pregnant and nursing mothers should take extra precaution while opting for gout medication. In order to avoid gout medication side effects, individuals diagnosed with gout, should consult a physician before taking gout medications.