Treatments to control gout

• Treatment leaflets
• Anagrelide
• Integrative treatment
• Aspirin
• Cytarabine
• Hydroxycarbamide
• Interferon alpha
• Melphalan, busulphan and P32
• Thalidomide
• Venesection (phlebotomy)
• Bone marrow transplant
• Additional treatments
  • Blood thinning drugs
  • Danazol
  • Erythropoetin (EPO)
  • Transfusion
  • Treatments to control gout
  • Treatments to control itching

Gout and MPDs

Gout is a painful condition caused by uric acid crystals in your body. Gout is a side effect of MPDs. It’s also unfortunately a side effect of many treatments used to treat MPDs, including hydroxycarbamide, anagrelide and interferon treatment.

Controlling gout

This painful condition can be controlled in several ways:

• Reducing the number of red cells in your bloodstream will also reduce gout

• The drug allopurinol can also be effective at reducing symptoms

• If you have an acute attack of gout, you may need painkillers to reduce the pain you are feeling

• Drinking large quantities of water can help prevent gout

• Other drugs may be prescribed as well

Your haematologist may sometimes prescribe allopurinol as a premedication for patients who are just starting therapies for their MPD. They may then stop taking allopurinol as their blood counts normalise. Patients who have had gout, and in particular more than one episode, often take this medication over the long term.

Side effects of allupurinol

Allopurinol often causes side effects of skin rash and a metallic taste in your mouth.

It is best to avoid taking allopurinol in pregnancy.