An Overview on the Role of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors in Gout Management

Gout is a kind of inflammatory arthropathy that affects a large number of people. Gout and hyperuricemia are becoming more common in developed countries. Xanthine Oxidase (XO) appears to play a key part in excessive uric acid (UA) production. XO inhibitors medications, which reduce serum UA levels by competitive inhibition of XO, are now the medications of choice for the long-term treatment of hyperuricemia. To discuss the role of XO inhibitors in treating gout disease and provide a review of the different available XO inhibitors medications. For articles selection, PubMed database was utilized, and the following keys were used in the Mesh ((“Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors”[Mesh]) AND (“Gout” [Mesh]) OR (“Hyperuricemia”[Mesh])). The cornerstone of gout treatment is urea-lowering therapy, which aims to control acute flares, avoid recurring episodes, and prevent or reverse consequences. XO inhibitors such as allopurinol and febuxostat lower urate synthesis and can achieve control of the disease. Allopurinol has been the cornerstone of gout and hyperuricemia clinical therapy, and despite significant tolerability concerns and allegedly low patient compliance, it continues to be the current standard of care. Febuxostat is a safe and effective alternative to allopurinol for people who are allergic to it. However, clinical acceptance of febuxostat has been low, but updated care recommendations recommend febuxostat as an alternative to allopurinol.

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