Uricosuric medications (drugs) are substances that increase the excretion of uric acid in the urine, thus reducing the concentration of uric acid in blood plasma. In general, this effect is achieved by action on the proximal tubule of the kidney. Drugs that reduce blood uric acid are not all uricosurics; blood uric acid can be reduced by other mechanisms (see other Antigout Medications).

Uricosurics are often used in the treatment of gout, a disease in which uric acid crystals form deposits in the joints. By decreasing plasma uric acid levels, help dissolve these crystals, while limiting the formation of new ones. However, the increased uric acid levels in urine can contribute to kidney stones. Thus, use of these drugs is contraindicated in persons already with a high urine concentration of uric acid (hyperuricosuria). In borderline cases, enough water to produce 2 liters of urine per day may be sufficient to permit use of an uricosuric drug.

By their mechanism of action, some uricosurics (such as probenecid) increase the blood plasma concentration of certain other drugs and their metabolic products. While this is occasionally exploitable to good effect (see oseltamivir), assessment of drug interactions is very important when using uricosuric drugs in the presence of other medications.

Primary uricosurics

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The primary uricosuric drugs include probenecid, benzbromarone and sulfinpyrazone.[citation needed]

Secondary uricosurics

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Drugs with other primary uses, that have known uricosuric properties, include losartan,[1] atorvastatin, and fenofibrate. Although these drugs may have significant uricosuric action, their other significant pharmacological actions in off-label use as a uricosuric requires careful assessment of the patient to achieve the most benefit and least risk.[2][3]

Abdominal surgery also has a uricosuric effect, as well as the potential to precipitate an acute attack of gout.[4]

Pharmacology

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In general, uricosuric drugs act on the proximal tubules in the kidneys, where they interfere with the absorption of uric acid from the kidney back into the blood. Several uricosurics are known to act in vitro by blocking the function of a protein encoded by the gene SLC22A12, also known as urate transporter 1 or URAT1. URAT1 is the central mediator in the transport of uric acid from the kidney into the blood. In some persons with loss-of-function mutations of URAT1, the uricosurics benzbromarone and losartan had no effect, suggesting these drugs act on URAT1 in vivo.[1] Thus, uricosuric drugs may be candidates for management in a personalized medicine model.[citation needed]

Antiuricosurics

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Antiuricosuric drugs raise serum uric acid levels and lower urine uric acid levels. These drugs include all diuretics, pyrazinoate, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, niacin, and aspirin.[5] The NSAID diclofenac has an antiuricosuric action, which may be partly responsible for the extraordinary toxicity of this drug in vultures.[6]

Pyrazinamide, a drug indicated only for treatment of tuberculosis, is a potent antiuricosuric[7] and, as a consequence, has an off-label use in the diagnosis of causes of abnormal uric acid clearance.[8] It acts on URAT1.[8]

Antiuricosuric drugs are useful for treatment of hypouricemia and perhaps also hyperuricosuria, but are contraindicated in persons with conditions including hyperuricemia and gout.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hamada T, Ichida K, Hosoyamada M, Mizuta E, Yanagihara K, Sonoyama K, Sugihara S, Igawa O, Hosoya T, Ohtahara A, Shigamasa C, Yamamoto Y, Ninomiya H, Hisatome I (October 2008). "Uricosuric action of losartan via the inhibition of urate transporter 1 (URAT 1) in hypertensive patients". Am. J. Hypertens. 21 (10): 1157–62. doi:10.1038/ajh.2008.245. PMID 18670416.
  2. ^ Lee SJ, Terkeltaub RA (June 2006). "New developments in clinically relevant mechanisms and treatment of hyperuricemia". Curr Rheumatol Rep. 8 (3): 224–30. doi:10.1007/s11926-996-0029-z. PMID 16901081.
  3. ^ Daskalopoulou SS, Tzovaras V, Mikhailidis DP, Elisaf M (2005). "Effect on serum uric acid levels of drugs prescribed for indications other than treating hyperuricaemia". Curr. Pharm. Des. 11 (32): 4161–75. doi:10.2174/138161205774913309. PMID 16375738. Archived from the original on May 24, 2009.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ a b c Snaith ML, Scott JT (May 1972). "Uric acid excretion and surgery". Ann. Rheum. Dis. 31 (3): 162–5. doi:10.1136/ard.31.3.162. PMC 1005890. PMID 5032447.
  5. ^ Ben Salem, C.; Slim, Raoudha; Fathallah, Neila; Hmouda, Houssem (2016). "Drug-induced hyperuricaemia and gout". Rheumatology. 56 (5): 679–688. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kew293. PMID 27498351.
  6. ^ Naidoo V, Swan GE (August 2008). "Diclofenac toxicity in Gyps vulture is associated with decreased uric acid excretion and not renal portal vasoconstriction". Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C. 149 (3): 269–74. doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.07.014. hdl:2263/13907. PMID 18727958.
  7. ^ Spaia S, Magoula I, Tsapas G, Vayonas G (2000). "Effect of pyrazinamide and probenecid on peritoneal urate transport kinetics during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis". Perit Dial Int. 20 (1): 47–52. PMID 10716583.
  8. ^ a b Ichida K, Hosoyamada M, Hisatome I, Enomoto A, Hikita M, Endou H, Hosoya T (January 2004). "Clinical and molecular analysis of patients with renal hypouricemia in Japan-influence of URAT1 gene on urinary urate excretion". J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 15 (1): 164–73. doi:10.1097/01.ASN.0000105320.04395.D0. PMID 14694169.
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