THE word " Urinorm" has a magical sound to it- admittedly saying it is like hitting the bull's eye, that the medicine helps normalize the amount of uric acid in the blood. Of course, Urinorm is just one of the many tradenames of its generic name, the rather long, tongue-twisting, difficult-to -pronounce Febuxostat, which is the latest drug in the management of elevated uric acid, which this early has proven its worth as a dependable, efficacious, safe medicine to keep blood uric acid at normal levels, thus preventing its complications like gouty arthritis and possible renal disease particularly stone formation.
The diet of folks in the Cordillera as well as Northern Luzon is rich in uric acid- beans, seeded fruits like strawberry, vegetables like tomatoes, our igado, dinakdakan, pinapaitan- name it, our favorite daily food fare is reeking with the so-called purine-rich foods. Add to that the cold climate of Baguio and highlands which prod folks to drink some alcohol to warm their shivering bodies, again another major contributor to an elevated urinc acid.
Hyperuricemia is defined as elevated or raised uric acid leels in the blood. For a while, the person may not have any symptoms. However, as the condition progreses nd not dealt with- dietary restriction of purine rich-foods, water therapy or in worse cases, medicines,- the uric acid crystals would accumulate in soft tissues, joints and may start a core on which kidney stones will form. By now, we all kow that gouty arthritis affects mostly the big toe, with patients comlaining of a really excruciating pain, which to some, can be elicited by mere touch of a blanket or the cod whiff of an electric fan. In the maket are the traditional, old, relaible remedies like Allupurinol ad in cases of acute flare-ups or exacerbation of the gouty arthritis, Colchicine.
The doctors of Baguio and nearby Cordillera towns were introduced to an exciting, noble, effective drug to help lower uric acid levels in the blood. Last April 13, Monday, Dr. Helen Joie M. Brown, lady cardiologist, started her lecture with the step-by-step breakdown of food we eat loaded with purines, until it reaches the uric acid or urate stage. Then she segued into the sterling qualities of Febuxostat as a derivative of the parent compound arylthiazole, a chemical substance very effective in inhibiting xanthine oxidase, the key and major enzyme involved in the degradation of purines- adenine, guanine, inosine- to uric acid. The amiable doctor cited three landmark clinical studies which showed that the 40 mg of Febuxostat is as effective as the 300 mg dose of Allupurinol.
Another advantage is that, even in flare ups of gout, Febuxostat can be given together with Colchicine, which is the recommended drug during its exacerbation.
The recommended dose of Febuxostat is 80 mg once daily, in the morning with or without food. If after two-weeks, the uric acid level is more than 8mg or 357 umol, the dose may be increased, or upon the discretion of the attending physician. Contraindicated in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers , and still not used in children. For patients with liver and kidney impairment, the doctor is in best position to assess the severity and may modify dose strength of the medicine.
Dose strength of Urinorm comes in 40 mg and 80 mg of Febuxostat. Ask your doctor about the newest kid in the block for uric acid.