If you've ever had Gout, chances are you remember the episode very well and found it rather unpleasant. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes extreme attacks of pain, inflammation, tenderness, and warmth in the joints. It is also known as Gouty Arthritis. Gout usually affects one joint at a time.

Uloric is the first new Gout drug approved by the FDA in 40 years. The drug was previously disapproved by the FDA due to causing heart problems but the maker corrected safety concerns and the medicine was recommended for approval in November 2008http://www.webmd.com/news/20090216/fda-oks-new-gout-drug-uloric

New Drug Application

• On March 15, 2010 Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc.resubmitted for approval of its gout drug by the Food and Drug Administration. Savient's proposed medication is called Krystexxa, or pegloticase. The FDA questioned last summer's submission. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9EF6SGO0.htm

Individuals with repetitive cases of Gout should consider if diet is playing a role or a change in diet might prevent further episodes. A Gout diet is low in purines to reduce the amount of uric acid.

Dehydration has recently been added as a trigger for Gout prompting further gout diet advice to be offered to those who currently suffer as well as those who have experienced the condition before. Increasing water intake is advised to prevent recurrence or to lessen a current flare. The study indicates a reduction of flare by 40% when five to eight glasses of water are consumed. The same study, also considered the impacts of drinking skim milk since previous studies indicated milk could reduce a flare. In the milk portion of the study, presented at a meeting of the American College of Rhuematology showed a 10% decrease in uric acid for those drinking skim milk. The milk studies will continue. http://arthritis.webmd.com/news/20091019/fighting-gout-with-skim-milk-and-water

Recent news releases indicate studies show women Gout sufferers are more at risk for a heart attack than those who have not had Gout. The study was published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and involved studies of Canadian men and women over a seven year period of time. The study shows women with the disease are 39% more likely to have a heart attack than other women. For men the percentage rises by 11%.http://women.webmd.com/news/20100208/gout-raises-womens-heart-attack-risks

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Gout, please consult your doctor.

Causing concern among those who hope current Gout trials have promising impact, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals posted a full year and fourth quarter of 2009 loss. The loss, announced on February 18, 2010 was in the $67million range. Regeneron is working on several phase 3 projects which could have impact on Gout sufferors if the research turns out to be productive. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/regeneron-reports-full-year-and-fourth-quarter-2009-financial-and-operating-results-2010-02-18?reflink=MW_news_stmp

• DailyStrength: Gout Support Community