How Does Uloric Work for Treating Gout?

Category: Medical FAQ

Author

Posted on June 24, 2022

Scott is passionate about health and wellness, and enjoys writing on various topic surrounding these fields. Scott lives in Seattle and spends his free time restoring old furniture and playing pickleball with his friends.



Uloric

Almost four percent of the American population has gout. That accounts for approximately 9.2 million adults! Gout can make even mundane tasks seem challenging with its sharp pain. 

Even after adjusting your diet or using anti-inflammatory medications, you may need something stronger. Uloric is a medication specifically designed for gout, and it could be a difference-maker in managing your symptoms!

If you are curious about how Uloric works as a gout treatment, we have you covered. In our complete guide, we will go over what Uloric is and how it compares to other medications, so keep reading on for more information!

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that fluctuates between remissions and flare-ups. Often, gout flare-ups will only affect one joint at a time and can last weeks. When a person goes into remission, they may not have symptoms for years in some cases. 

The big toe is the most commonly affected joint, but the ankles and knees are close behind. Here are some of the symptoms of gout:

  • Intense pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Warmth

What are some of the causes of gout? Gout is linked to hyperuricemia, a condition where uric acid builds up in your body.

They form into crystals, which congregate in joints, tissues, and fluids. Unless hyperuricemia has gout-like symptoms, you don't need to treat it. Hyperuricemia has a few root causes, such as:

  • Being male
  • Obesity
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Hypertension
  • Metabolic syndromes
  • Diabetes

Additionally, using diuretics or other medications could increase your risk. Purine-rich foods and diet play an essential role. It is found in red meat, specific types of seafood, and even alcohol. 

Gout Treatment Options

You don't necessarily need treatment for gout. Although, if you don't use medication or alternative remedies, you could deal with debilitating pain for one to two weeks. The most common gout treatments are prescription drugs. 

Prescription medication helps manage symptoms, reduce gout complications, and prevent flare-ups. Some of these prescription medications are anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the inflammation in your joint(s) and thereby decrease symptoms. 

Along with medications, you should ask your doctor about lifestyle and diet changes. Here are some home remedies you can utilize while managing prescriptions:

  • Reducing intake of foods and drinks high in purines
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Achieving a healthy body weight
  • Low-impact exercises
  • Reducing alcohol intake

If you don't adequately manage your symptoms, gout can lead to kidney stones or recurrent symptoms. 

What Is Uloric?

Uloric has been FDA-approved as a gout treatment since 2019. It works by reducing the amount of uric acid in the body and keeping levels stable. 

Primarily, a physician prescribes Uloric if allopurinol has stopped working or you can no longer tolerate it. In some cases, it may take upwards of six months before you start seeing results. During this time, your physician could prescribe other gout medication. 

Since Uloric can increase your risk for heart problems, it is not advised for patients who also have had:

  • Previous heart attack
  • Previous stroke
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Cardiovascular disease

You may also need regular check-ins with your physician to go over blood work. Standard blook work on Uloric checks liver and other organ function.

In most cases, you will start on a lower dosage of Uloric. Initial dosing starts at 40 mg daily and can increase to 80 mg. 

Does Uloric Work?

Yes, Uloric medications work, but the answer is more convoluted than a simple yes or no. It is a potent medication for patients dealing with chronic gout or patients who have failed other treatments like allopurinol. 

Studies show that Uloric lowers serum uric acid levels without inhibiting other enzymes. However, while it shows the potential to work for patients with stubborn gout, it does have an increased risk for death and cardiovascular events. This shouldn't cause concern if you take your prescribed dosage and regularly visit your physician to check lab work. 

Uloric vs. Zyloprim

Zyloprim is the brand-name version of allopurinol. It comes in three different dosages:

  • 100 mg
  • 200 mg
  • 300 mg

It is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, similar to Uloric. Zyloprim's primary uses are:

  • Treating high levels of uric acid
  • Kidney stones
  • Pancreatic infections
  • And more

Some of the side effects of Zyloprim are vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and muscle pains. Some of its differences are that Uloric is only prescribed to treat gout, while Zyloprim may have other indications. 

It also isn't considered the first-line treatment even though it falls under the same drug classification. While these medications have similar mechanisms of action, Zyloprim has a different active ingredient and may result in separate side effects. 

How Much Does Uloric Cost?

In the United States, Uloric prices can soar to as much as $383 for a 28 tablet supply. PricePro Pharmacy offers Uloric prices of around $90 for a 28 tablet supply. 

Since Uloric has a generic version, you can save even more money shopping through that route. Additionally, using a Canadian online pharmacy helps you find affordable and high-quality medications that can be delivered right to your doorstep!

Finding Affordable Uloric Prescriptions

If you have been prescribed Uloric, you have likely dealt with gout for several years and haven't found a solution for your pain. Uloric is an effective medication often used when you have failed other routes. When used with a healthy diet, you could notice symptom relief within six months.

Unfortunately, the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States may deter you from wanting to try another medication. At PricePro Pharmacy, our prescription costs are much lower, making your Uloric medication affordable. 

Check out our website to get started!

Works Cited

https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html

https://www.drugs.com/uloric.html

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2787544#:~:text=How%20Common%20Is%20Gout%3F,in%20men%20and%20older%20people.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/144827#symptoms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544239/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/products/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/uloric/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/zyloprim/

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