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Pharmacogenetic Testing for Gout Medications
Pharmacogenetic Testing for Gout Medications
Understanding Gout and Its Treatment Challenges
For those living with gout, painful gout flares that arise from time to time are a frustrating occurrence, often creating limitations in their daily lives and necessitating use of prescribed medication. Once the flare resolves (or in those at risk for an initial flare), lifestyle, dietary and alcohol consumption changes are often advised, along with prescribed preventative daily medication treatment(s). Since the need for treatment is typically present throughout, gout medication side effects can often be a concern, or even a reality.
Types of Gout Medications
Gout medication can have a role preventing gout attacks by lowering elevated blood levels of a normal bodily substance ("uric acid treatment"). As a result, this substance (uric acid) is less likely to deposit as crystals in joints, which is the cause of the pain and inflammation associated with gout flares. The most well-known and common treatment in this regard is allopurinol.
Other medications have a role in treating the pain and inflammation present during a gout flare (i.e., when uric acid deposits as crystals in joint(s)). A number of common options exist, including ibuprofen and meloxicam.
Some gout medications have multiple roles, including supporting the transition from gout flare to sustained remission.
Gout Medication Side Effect Genetic Considerations
Several key gout treatment medication side effects are linked to an individual's genetics.
A small number of individuals taking allopurinol can be genetically predisposed to serious hypersensitivity side effects that can cause skin to detach and may even affect other organs and cause death. Two other uric acid lowering drugs sometimes used (pegloticase, probenecid) can contribute to a type of anemia due to a genetically deficient enzyme found within blood cells.
Certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, celecoxib, meloxicam) can have elevated side effect risks in some people when taken regularly over a period of time. These include increases in blood pressure, and reductions in kidney functioning, particularly in those with other risk factors.
Is Pharmacogenetic Testing Right for Your Gout Management?
Genetic testing and analysis to help predict the risk of the side effects discussed above ("gout pharmacogenetics testing") can help identify those with poor potential response to some of the medications used for gout. This testing analyzes individuals' DNA for variations known to impact side effects associated with a number of medications. This information can then be used to inform the choice of the medication selected, or the dose, monitoring, or further investigations needed by prescribers. For those with a history of flares or at risk of an initial flare, pharmacogenetic testing can be a key tool for them and their health care provider to use to help inform medication decisions.
