- Body system
- Bone and joint
- Drug cards
- 1 in this guide
Drugs in this class
Other examples: Febuxostat, Colchicine, Probenecid, Pegloticase.
How gout drugs work
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors (allopurinol, febuxostat) reduce uric acid production; probenecid increases uric acid excretion; colchicine reduces the inflammatory response to urate crystals.
Uses
- Acute gout flares (colchicine, NSAIDs, corticosteroids)
- Long-term prevention (allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid)
- Tumor lysis prevention (allopurinol)
Adverse effects
- Rash and severe skin reactions (allopurinol)
- Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting (colchicine)
- Flares when starting urate-lowering therapy
Nursing considerations
- Monitor uric acid and kidney function.
- Stop allopurinol at the first sign of a rash and notify the provider.
- Colchicine has many interactions; GI symptoms can signal toxicity.
Patient teaching
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Limit alcohol (especially beer), organ meats, some seafood and sugary drinks.
- Keep taking prevention drugs even when there are no symptoms.
Gout drugs NCLEX practice questions
Answer each question to see the rationale.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A patient taking allopurinol develops a rash. What is the correct action?
Show answer
Answer D: Stop the drug and notify the provider A rash can be the first sign of a severe hypersensitivity reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
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Which drug treats an acute gout attack?
Show answer
Answer C: Colchicine Colchicine (or an NSAID or corticosteroid) treats acute flares; the others prevent future attacks.
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Which teaching helps prevent kidney stones during allopurinol therapy?
Show answer
Answer A: Drink plenty of fluids Good hydration helps flush uric acid and prevents stone formation.
Frequently asked questions
What are gout drugs?
Gout is treated in two ways: acute attacks with NSAIDs, colchicine or corticosteroids, and prevention with urate-lowering drugs such as allopurinol. Never start a urate-lowering drug to treat an attack.
How do gout drugs work?
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors (allopurinol, febuxostat) reduce uric acid production; probenecid increases uric acid excretion; colchicine reduces the inflammatory response to urate crystals.
What are examples of gout drugs?
Allopurinol, Febuxostat, Colchicine, Probenecid and Pegloticase.
What are the nursing considerations for gout drugs?
Monitor uric acid and kidney function. Stop allopurinol at the first sign of a rash and notify the provider.