Tag Archives: Gout

Allopurinol

Treatment Prescribed for Patients with “Gout” and “Kidney Stones”

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Allopurinol is a drug used to treat a certain condition. It’s a treatment prescribed for patients with “Gout” and “Kidney Stones”. This drug reduces the production of uric acid in the body. A high level of uric acid can increase your risk to a certain condition. The following are the condition that causes your uric acid to increase. It includes:

  • Use of diuretics
  • A person with cancer/chemotherapy
  • Gout
  • Psoriasis
  • A diet high in soft drinks, beer, beef and steak
  • Having a condition of kidney stones/damage
  • A person having a treatment with dialysis

What are the uses of  Allopurinol?

Allopurinol tablet is a drug that treats several conditions. It is useful in treating the following:

  • A person with Gout
  • A person with recurrent Kidney Stones
  • A person with Calcium Oxalate Calculi with Hyperuricosuria
  • A person having a Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy

Indication

The use of this drug is to reduce a high uric acid level. It is an effective treatment. Allopurinol may serve as long-term medication for a person who suffers severe gout seizures. This treatment is not recommended for children. This drug is not prescribed for a patient with an allergy.

How it works?

Allopurinol is a drug that belongs to “Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors”.  This drug works to reduce the uric acid level in the body. It works to block the xanthine oxidase. It’s an enzyme which helps to produce uric acid. It prevents the condition to occur due to high uric acid level.

How much to take?      

Follow the recommended dosage prescribed by your doctor. Do not exceed the limit use of the drug. Do not use more or less of it. Follow the direction stated carefully on the label. The usual dosage of this medicine is once per day. The strength of the medicine is 100 to 200 mg.

How to take?

Allopurinol comes in a form of a tablet. You should need to take this drug by mouth. Take allopurinol as directed by your doctor. Always check the label and follow the direction carefully. Take the drug once a day with food. You may also take this drug without food. But to avoid stomach upset it is prescribed to take it with a full stomach. Swallow the drug as a whole with water. Take it the same time each day to avoid missing a dose. Do not skip a dose to see better results.

Side effects:

The following are side effects of the drug:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Gout flare-up
  • Skin rash
  • Depression
  • Appetite loss
  • Stomach pain
  • Joint pain
  • Dizziness

Warning and Precaution

  • Do not take this drug if you’re allergic to its ingredient.
  • Avoid an intake of alcohol. It may increase your risk to side effects.
  • If you’re pregnant do not use this drug. It will harm your baby.
  • If you’re lactating do not use this drug. It may put your baby at risk.
  • Do not stop the medicine course without consulting your doctor.

GOUT

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Gout is a form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It develops in a person with a high uric acid level in the blood. It is characterized by a severe attack of pain, redness, and tenderness of joints. It mostly develops in the big toe.

The uric acid crystal that deposits in the joint causes swelling, redness, heat and pain. The symptoms may come and go but there are ways to lessen the symptoms and flares.

2 TYPES OF GOUT

  • Flares – it is when the symptoms get worse.
  • Remission – it is when no symptoms occur.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOM

A person with gout may experience symptoms such as:

  • Experiencing an intense pain.
  • Swelling in the joints on your foot.
  • Redness
  • A person may experience a burning sensation that develops in the foot.

CAUSES OF GOUT

Gout occurs when a high level of urate crystal accumulates in the joint causing intense pain and swelling. These urate crystals are formed when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. The list of foods below is rich in uric acid:

  • Shellfish
  • Red meats
  • Organ meat
  • Seafood
  • Alcoholic beverages like beer
  • Eating food that contains high in salt

RISK FACTORS

The following are factors that increase your chances of having gout:

  • An obese person.
  • A family history of gout.
  • Having certain health issues like heart failure, diabetes etc.
  • Using a medication like diuretics and low-dose aspirin.
  • Drinking too much alcohol.
  • Eating food or drink that is high in fructose.
  • Having an improper diet. Eating foods that are rich in purines.

DIAGNOSIS

Gout can diagnose if flare symptoms occur. The following test can help diagnose gout:

  • Conducting a physical test
  • Performing a joint fluid test
  • Taking a blood test
  • X-ray Imaging
  • Having an ultrasound
  • Dual-energy CT Scan

TREATMENT OF GOUT

Medication treatment of gout involves:

  • Managing the pain of flare and preventing a future attack – It is consists of (NSAIDS) drugs such as ibuprofen, colchicine, etoricoxib and steroids.
  • Preventing future flares – by making changes to your lifestyle.
  • Blocking the production of uric acid– Consist of xanthine oxidase inhibitors
  • Removal of uric acid– Consist of uricosurics and probenecid (Probalan)

Who should diagnose and treat gout?

This disease must only be diagnosed by an expert. A doctor who specializes in treating or caring for gout patients is known as a rheumatologist. They are the one who can determine the signs.

How can I manage my gout and improve my quality of life?

The following can help you improve your life if you have gout:

  • Eating a healthy food and maintaining a healthy diet.
  • Do not eat foods that are high in uric acid and fructose.
  • Perform a regular exercise which suits you.
  • Participate in a physical activity program.
  • Join a self-management education class.
Buy Etoricoxib

Relieving Swelling of Joints Associated with Gout & Arthritis

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Etoricoxib gives relief from pain & inflammation. It also provides relief from swelling of joints associated with different types of gout and arthritis. Etoricoxib is a new COX-2 selective inhibitor. It is approved in 80 countries worldwide.

How  Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) Work?

As stated above it is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. It belongs to the class of drugs of painkilers called as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDs) – (cox-2) cyclooxygenase 2   is responsible to reduce mediators of pain and inflammation. It inhibits Prostaglandin synthesis. It blocks only COX-2 and not COX-1 like other NSAIDs drugs. COX-1 is responsible for protecting the stomach.

What is Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) used for?

Benefits of this drug is as discussed below,

  1. Reduces swelling
  2. Relieves stiffness in joints allowing to do normal activities
  3. It also treats patients suffering from swelling due to;
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Gout
  • Relief from chronic musculoskeletal pain
  • The risk of developing ulcers on Etoricoxib is lower than with NSAIDs
  • Your doctor may prescribe it for other reason not listed in medication guide

How to take Etoricoxib (Arcoxia)?

Dosage:

  1. Osteoarthritis and chronic musculoskeletal pain – 60 mg onetime day.
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis & ankylosing spondylitis – 90 mg one time a day.
  3. Relief of gout attack is 120 mg/day.

These tabs are oral tablets available in the strength of 120 mg. you must take this drug only for the period of pain. Swallow it with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

What are the precautions in taking Etoricoxib (Arcoxia)?

It is important to take precaution under certain conditions.

  1. If you have heart disease doctor may prescribe you a lower close for short period.
  2. It is less common to experience below condition. But if you have these conditions contact your doctor and stop taking Etoricoxib.
  • Breathing difficulties such as wheeze or breathless
  • Any sign of allergic reactions like swelling near your mouth, face
  • Severe itchy skin rashes
  • If you pass blood or black stools, blood in vomit, or severe tummy pains
  • Take the medicine at the same time every day
  • Avoid use of the drug in patients with peptic ulcers, severe heart disease, stroke, and hypersensitivity
  1. These drugs may be harmful in pregnancy.
  2. Drink adequate fluid to avoid dehydration.
  3. Monitor blood pressure at regular intervals while taking this medication.

Cost of Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) [Generic and Brand]

Generic Etoricoxib is much cheaper as compared to brand Arcoxia. The prices differ due to the Brand name of the company packing and pricing. The price of generic medicine decreases due to the Bulk source and other cost-saving measure taken by us. But their effects remains the same as the brand ones.

Generic Etoricoxib 120 mg tablet is $ 0.8 per unit .while the cost of Arcoxia 120 mg tablet is $ 2.68 per unit. You can see the vast difference in the cost. So buy cheap Generic drugs which give equal satisfaction to brand drugs.

Treating Symptoms of Gout (Arthritis) with Colchicine

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Colchicine tablet is an oral prescription drug.  It is used to treat the symptoms of Gout which develops suddenly.  Gout is a type of arthritis that causes your joints to swell. This is due to too much uric acid in the blood.

Colchicine can treat another rare condition, Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). This is a condition that is passed down in families. FMF can cause inflammation in the lungs, joints and abdomen.

What condition does Colchicine treat?

Colchicine is used to treat the symptoms of gout such as:

  • Sudden pain
  • Swelling

Symptoms of Familial Mediterranean fever:

  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Swollen joint
  • Swollen, tender scrotum

How does Colchicine works?

Colchicine is an anti-drug medication. It works by lessening the uric acid buildup in the blood.  It also decreases the swelling that causes pain in the affected joints. However, it does not cure gout. Colchicine will only prevent gout attacks.

Colchicine also works by decreasing amyloid A, a protein that builds up with people having FMF.

What is the dosage of Colchicine?

The recommended dose for gout is:

  • 2 mg at first sign of symptoms to be followed by 0.6 mg an hour later with a minimum dose of 1.8 mg.
  • 6 mg of Colchicine can prevent gout from flaring. It is taken once or twice a day.

For Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)

  • 3 – 1.8 mg once a day for children ages 4-6 years old
  • 6 – 1.8 mg once a day for children ages 6-12 years old

How to take Colchicine?

Take colchicine exactly as directed by your physician. Your dose depends upon the following:

  • Your condition
  • Your age
  • Your other medical condition
  • Your reaction to the first dose

Take the medication with or without food. Colchicine works best if you take the medication at the first sign of attack.

What are the precautions in taking Colchicine?

  • Limit your alcohol intake when taking this medication.
  • Colchicine can decrease sperm production. Talk to your doctor.
  • Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking colchicine. Grapefruit can make your body unable to process colchicine well.

Colchicine comes with several warnings.

  1. Allergic reaction- Colchicine can cause allergic reaction with symptoms such as:
  • swelling of your throat
  • swelling of tongue
  • trouble breathing

Taking the drug that you are allergic with can be fatal.

  1. Pregnant women- Enough studies were made showing how this drug can affect the unborn child.
  2. Breastfeeding- It can pass into breast milk. This may cause side effects to the child.

Costs of Colchicine

The generic brand Colchicine is cheaper than the brand name Mitigare. Colchicine 0.5 mg costs $0.42 per unit price or $25.25 for 60 tabs. While the branded Mitigare 0.5 mg costs $3.18 per unit price or $190.50 for 60 tablets.