Pharmacological overview for therapy of gout and hyperuricemia

Abstract

Hyperuricemia & gout are disease conditions marked by over production and reduced excretion of uric acid. These conditions are linked with unhealthy lifestyle, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic syndrome, Cardiovascular & Chronic renal disease. Thus controlling & monitoring uric acid level becomes important. Development in the technology have led to greater insights into the pathophysiology of gout & hyperuricemia. Now we have a better understanding of involvement of interleukin 1β in inflammatory process of gout. Thus with better understanding newer therapeutic targets are being explored for treatment of gout & hyperuricemia. The armamentarium of drugs being used in therapy of acute gout here been expanded with recent addition by interleukin-1 inhibitors especially for refractory patients and patients with comorbidities. As these new therapies are evolving we need to focus on improving the use of Allopurinol through patient education and training of physicians in order to minimize development of Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS). Further pretesting of Human leukocyte Antigen- B ( HLA-B*5801*) should be considered in Asian population. Febuxostat being critically new drug needs cautious approach, proper education of patients and Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting. With entry of Pegloticase there is a new class of drug added for treating hyperuricemia.