Tulsa World: Oldie but goodie medication works for bouts of gout

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Oldie but goodie medication works for bouts of gout

By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Published: 7/2/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 7/2/2009 3:36 AM

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 72-year-old male who suffered from gout for years. My doctor prescribed colchicine with directions to take one every four hours until I got diarrhea. Then I was to discontinue the medicine until the diarrhea stopped. Once it did, I'd begin the regimen all over again. I tried the cherry cure, stayed off beer and booze for a while, tried other remedies and still got gout.

One day, a young female intern suggested I ask my doctor to give me a prescription for allopurinol, 100 milligrams. Well, I did, and I haven't had an attack since. That was almost three years ago. Any comments?

Dear Reader: Allopurinol has been available since August 1966.

Gout is essentially caused by too much uric acid in the body and can be brought on by the ingestion of excessive amounts of organ meats, anchovies, beer, gravy, shellfish and more.

Treatment consists of dietary and lifestyle changes and may include medications such as colchicine, allopurinol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are usually given during an acute attack. As you discovered, no one medication works for everyone. This was obviously the case with the colchicine your physician prescribed. Side effects include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and the diarrhea you experienced.

For some people, allopurinol also carries side effects of rash, lowered white blood cell and platelet counts, drowsiness, headache, fever, bruising, jaundice and pain or bleeding on urination. Fortunately, it appears you do not suffer any of those consequences. The drug is often prescribed for gout sufferers. Those with kidney or liver disease, diabetes, hypertension or congestive heart failure might be directed to use another product. That decision should be left to the discretion of your prescribing physician.

Write Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave. 4th floor, New York, NY 10016.

By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association

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