Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Hyperuricemia and Gout: Common Medications and Treatment Strategies







We all know that chemotherapy is an effective treatment in killing cancer cells from the body. But, along with it there are a lot of adverse reactions which can be induced by the effect of chemotherapy drugs in our body. One of them is hyperuricemia and gout in the cancer patient who are all receiving the chemo drug. Today, we are going to know about the strategies to manage the chemotherapy-induced hyperuricemia and gout in this article.

What is the link between chemotherapy and hyperuricemia and gout?

Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment which uses drugs to kill or shrink the cancer cells. But when it kills the cancer cell the tumour particle which breaks down at a rapid speed makes the kidney unable to eliminate or flush out it, leading to an acute kidney injury and . This condition can lead to a problem in the uric acid excretion and an elevation in the uric acid level in the blood (hyperuricemia) which in turn leads to gout, a painful form of arthritis caused due to the accumulation of uric acid in the joint.

Symptoms Of Chemotherapy-Induced Hyperuricemia And Gout

Some of the symptoms of chemo-induced hyperuricemia and gout are given below:
Joint pain: Individuals may experience an severe pain in the joints
Joint stiffness: Patients may experience stiffness or feel difficulty in movements.
difficulty moving affected joints
Redness and swelling: Individuals may have experienced redness or swelling in the joints due to the accumulation of uric acid.
Misshapen joints: Patients have misshapen or deformed joints due to the accumulation of uric acid that the soft tissues in the joints.

How to find Hyperuricemia and gout during chemo?

The chemo-induced hyperuricemia and gout can be diagnosed by the following two methods which are given below:

Uric acid blood test: Your doctor may recommend you to check the uric acid level to analyse the hyperuricemia and gout.

Joint fluid test: A Joint fluid test is helpful to identify gout in the joint by inserting a needle into the knee joint space to extract the synovial fluid from the patient for analysis.


How to manage and treat chemo induced hyperuricemia and gout?

Here the effective strategies for hyperuricemia and gout treatment:
1. Anti-hyperuricemic drug
Allopurinol: Allopurinol (Zyloric 100mg Tablet) steps into lower uric acid production in your body by acting as an xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibitor which is involved in the uric acid production. Thereby it is involved in reducing the blood uric acid level in the body.

Rasburicase: Rasburicase is like your superhero friend who swoops in to save the day when things get rough. It works by turning uric acid into an easily disposable compound, giving you some much-needed relief, especially if you're at risk of gout. Think of it as your secret weapon against those pesky uric acid spikes during chemo.

2. Fluid Hydration: It's like your trusty sidekick, always there to help flush out excess uric acid and keep your kidneys happy. Whether it's through sipping on water or getting an IV drip of saline solution during chemo sessions, staying hydrated is key to keeping those uric acid levels in check and avoiding any joint or kidney trouble.

3. Pain Management: When gout strikes, you need some backup to help ease the pain and inflammation. Enter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or indomethacin – your trusty allies in fighting those acute gout attacks. And if things get really tough, corticosteroids are there to lend a hand and get you back on your feet.

4. Dietary Modifications: Making some tweaks to your diet can make a world of difference when it comes to managing uric acid levels. Say goodbye to those purine-rich foods that can send uric acid soaring, and hello to a balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. It's all about finding the right balance to keep your body humming along smoothly during chemo.

Moreover, it is crucial to educate and spread awareness about the chemo induced hyperuricemia and gout to cancer patients who are under the chemo treatments. If you are a cancer patient, always keep this in mind, consult your doctor immediately if you are experiencing fatigue or joint pain during the cancer treatment.

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