Pegloticase
Pegloticase
Pegloticase (pronounced: peg-LOE-ti-kase) is a medication used to treat chronic gout in adults who do not respond to conventional therapy.
Etymology
The name "Pegloticase" is derived from the drug's composition. "Peg" refers to polyethylene glycol, a component used to increase the drug's half-life in the body. "Loticase" is a reference to uricase, the enzyme that the drug is designed to replace in patients with gout.
Mechanism of Action
Pegloticase works by lowering the levels of uric acid in the body. It does this by converting uric acid into allantoin, a substance that is more easily excreted by the body. This helps to reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks.
Related Terms
- Gout: A type of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in joints.
- Uric Acid: A waste product in the blood that can accumulate and form crystals, leading to gout and kidney stones.
- Polyethylene Glycol: A polymer used in a variety of products, including medications, where it can improve drug solubility and stability.
- Uricase: An enzyme that metabolizes uric acid into a more easily excreted substance.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Pegloticase include gout flares, allergic reactions, nausea, bruising, sore throat, constipation, chest pain, and vomiting. Severe side effects may include anaphylaxis and infusion reactions.
Precautions
Pegloticase should not be used in patients with G6PD deficiency due to the risk of hemolysis and methemoglobinemia. It should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pegloticase
- Wikipedia's article - Pegloticase
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