Rasburicase and Gout

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
Rasburicase is a genetically engineered enzyme. It causes uric acid to break down to allantoin which is more soluble, and easily excreted by the kidneys. Though rasburicase is very effective at reducing uric acid levels, it is not approved for long term use. FDA approval is limited to counteracting the effects of chemotherapy in children over a maximum of 5 days. There have been a small number of European studies of rasburicase and gout, but I am not aware of any proper clinical trials. Tausche and Schroder comment in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases that the main dilemma... ... is not the high cost but the missing approval by the FDA in severe tophaceous gout. Of course, mass production might bring the cost down, but rasburicase has another drawback. It is administered intravenously, over a 30 minute period. A similar drug, Puricase, is currently undergoing trials. FDA submission is expected late this year, or early next year. The intention for both these drugs is that they will...
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Treatment For Gout – Guidelines Chart

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
To make it easier to understand the treatment for gout guidelines, I have produced a chart showing which guidelines are important for your gout. You simply follow the questions and recommendations to find the most important gout treatment recommendations for your situation. If you need further information about any treatment for gout guideline, you simply click the link to the discussion for that guideline. Please note that, as of 2010, the old discussions are no longer available, but you can start a new discussion to discuss your questions or opinions on gout treatment guidelines. Please feel free to ask any question about the recommended treatment for gout. If you want to comment on the layout of the chart, you can do so below - I really appreciate your feedback. As of 2011, I am totally reorganizing my gout treatment help section, and once that is finished, I will update and extend the gout management guideline charts. If you like this type of...
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Stubborn Gout Pain

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
Stubborn Gout: 2012 Update This discussion on How Long Does a Gout Attack Last? is now closed. Please see the new discussion about stubborn, or prolonged gout, by following the link at the end of that article. A recent comment from a reader about stubborn gout pain has set me thinking. I started writing a short comment reply, but as I thought about the problem, I realized that this subject deserves it's own article. Tom wrote about his stubborn gout pain: I have used prescription NSAIDS (Ibuprofen,Indicin, etc.) to successfully treat a gout attack that affected my toes, ankles and knees. Second and subsequent gout attacks did not respond to NSAIDS and I tried fresh cherries, dried cherries and cherry juice concentrate. The Cherries worked at first and then failed to give relief. Next, I tried Colchicine and that worked - with gastric upset side-effects. I've also noticed a difference in pain treatment response to different attacks. The pain is caused by a complicated immune response that scientists...
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Colchicine Side Effects

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
Gout sufferers know that colchicine side effects are often unpleasant. Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are common, but one side effect is less well known and much more dangerous. I've written before about the potential problems with biaxin and colchicine. Biaxin labeling is supposed to carry a warning. There has certainly been plenty of publicity about this in the medical press due to a small number of deaths from colchicine poisoning, but still the problem occurs. I got this message yesterday: My Dad was given Colchicine 0.6mg and was told to stop taking it when he got diarhea. He did this but was still bothered with cramping and diarhea. Could this also be caused by the fact he was also given biaxin xl 500 mg. Can these to medications be taken at the same time. Colchicine and biaxin must not be taken at the same time. This is so serious that I am repeating my warning. I am not qualified to advise you what to do...
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Gout and Antioxidants

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
Gout and antioxidants are closely related. Uric acid is an antioxidant that we produce to help protect our bodies from free oxygen (free radicals) that can harm our bodies. Though we need this antioxidant for life, too much of this particular good thing can lead to gout. Gout research into tomatoes tells us that food high in antioxidants can help reduce uric acid. My logic tells me that it makes sense for our bodies to produce less of our own antioxidant, uric acid, when we can absorb what we need from our food. One pillar of my gout diet plan is that food rich in antioxidants will help lower uric acid. Up to now, I have simply advised you to increase antioxidant rich foods. Many of you want more than this, and so I will shortly be publishing a series of free gout recipes that will help you plan your own gout diet. In my next newsletter, I will also introduce a...
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Colchicine Killer Crisis

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
The shortage of colchicine in the US is a national emergency for all Americans relying on colchicine for their quality of life, and in many cases life itself. Though I write from the UK, I have many American friends. Selfishly, I also fear that the terrible injustice forced on my friends in America will also be adopted by my government and others round the world. Anyone who relies on colchicine for their wellbeing must act now. Anyone with any compassion, decency, or sense of justice should join the fight. Colchicine Crisis Background The FDA have recently approved colchicine as a brand for treatment of gout and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). Colchicine is derived from the autumn crocus and has been recognized as an anti-inflammatory painkiller since ancient times. It has been available as a generic drug for decades, and there is no justification for allowing any branding rights. In my earlier reports, I was unaware that the FDA gave exclusive colchicine rights to URL Pharma....
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Professional Gout Advice

by KeithTaylor Comment Closed
I am often asked for professional gout advice, yet I have no medical qualifications. I usually offer as much help as I can, then qualify my remarks by advising the gout sufferer to seek medical attention. But what should I do when your doctor's advice is advice is clearly wrong? I know what the leading medical authorities suggest as the best way to manage gout because I research it every day. I know what typical gout sufferers need to endure, because I am one. I know when a doctor is giving bad advice. The first comment here is transferred from a separate discussion because it is extremely important. Yes, it refers to allopurinol, but it raises a much larger issue. The writer is clearly unsure about the professional advice given. In this case the advice is clearly wrong. But what should you do when you do not trust medical advice from professionals, and what should I do to give advice that you know you...
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