Drug-induced gout

Abstract

A number of pharmacological agents can induce hyperuricaemia, and sometimes gout, usually by interfering with the renal tubular excretion of urate but also in some instances by increasing the formation of uric acid. Alcohol is well known to have this property and in recent years diuretic-induced hyperuricaemia has become a global phenomenon. Other drugs which can cause hyperuricaemia are salicylates, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, nicotinic acid, cyclosporin, 2-ethylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole, fructose and cytotoxic agents. A special type of 'drug-induced gout' can follow the rapid lowering of serum uric acid by allopurinol or uricosuric drugs.