你要認識的痛風藥物
More About Gout Medications
痛風性關節炎，亦即「痛風」，常見於 40 歲以上男士。痛風主要原因與進食高「嘌呤」食物有關，例如動物內臟、貝殼類、海產及飲酒。「嘌呤」經過體內新陳代謝後會轉化為尿酸。
Gouty arthritis, also known as Gout, is commonly seen in middle-aged men over 40. The primary cause of gout is related to consuming food that contain high amount of ‘purine’ such as animal internal organs, shellfish, seafood and drinking alcohol. Uric acid is formed in purine metabolism.
當尿酸過高時，就有機會誘發痛風。除了手趾腳趾都會腫痛難忍外，嚴重者有可能會關節變形，成為慢性痛風。處理痛風的藥物可分為急性發作時用的消炎止痛藥和長期控制尿酸水平的藥。
When uric acid accumulates in the body, it may trigger gouty arthritis. Not only
your fingers and toes become painful, it can also cause joint deformation in severe cases and become chronic gouty arthritis. Medications for gout can be divided into acute treatment of gouty pain such as using anti-inflammatory drugs and chronic treatment to control uric acid level in the body.
急性發作
Gouty attack
當痛風發作時，用藥目的是快速地止痛和消除患處腫脹，以減輕症狀對日常生活的影響。第一線藥物是「非類固醇類消炎止痛藥」（NSAIDs），此藥被廣泛地應用於多種痛症，但患有哮喘、嚴重心臟病、腎病，或消化性潰瘍人士在服用前應諮詢醫護人員的意見。
During the gouty attack, the purpose of treatment is to rapidly soothe the pain and eliminate swelling of the affected area, relieving the symptoms which might affect your daily life. The first-line medications are Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). They are commonly used in many pain disorders. However, patients with asthma, severe heart diseases, kidney diseases or peptic ulcer should seek medical advice before taking NSAIDs.
另一種藥物秋水仙鹼（Colchicine）是傳統上用於抑制痛風症發炎反應的藥物，由於高劑量會導致嚴重的嘔吐和腹瀉，服用時必須遵從醫護人員建議的劑量，如出現腹瀉便要立刻停服。
Another medication, Colchicine, is traditionally used to suppress the inflammation caused by gout. As it may cause severe diarrhea and vomiting in high dosage, it should only be taken under supervision of healthcare professionals. It should be stopped if diarrhea occurs.
急性消炎藥應服用至症狀消退為止，一般需時一至兩星期。如病人不適合使用以上兩種藥物，而傷患關節多於一個，經診斷為適合後或會獲處方短期的口服類固醇治療。
The medication should be taken until the acute gouty attack ceased which usually takes one to two weeks. If the patient is not suitable for the above two medications and there are more than one affected joint, the patient might be prescribed with short-term oral steroid by doctor.
長期控制
Long-term control
針對血液中尿酸濃度過高這問題，部分痛風發作頻密、出現「痛風石」（tophi）或尿酸尿石（uric acid urolithiasis）、腎功能欠佳或關節明顯受損病人會獲處方控制尿酸水平的藥物。這些藥物藉減少身體製造尿酸或增加尿酸的排泄以降低血液中的尿酸水平，常用的別嘌醇（Allopurinol）屬於前者。
Medications to lower uric acid level in blood might be prescribed to patients with recurrent gouty attack, tophi found around the joint or uric acid urolithiasis, poor kidney function or joint damaged. These medications work by reducing the production of uric acid in the body or increasing the excretion of uric acid out of the body. Allopurinol, which reduces the production of uric acid, is one of the most commonly prescribed medications.
藥物劑量因應病人的尿酸水平而調較，直至達致理想的水平，部分病人在服用初期的數月會較容易出現痛風發作，但發作期間病人亦應繼續服藥。另外，服藥期間應飲用足夠水分，避免形成腎結石。如出現嚴重的紅疹，應立即就醫。
The dosage should be individualized and adjusted according to patient’s uric acid level so as to achieve the target level. Some patients may experience more frequent gouty attack in the first few months of treatment. However, they should not stop taking the medications during the attack. Also, patients should drink plenty of water during the treatment to prevent the formation of kidney stone. If there are severe rash, patient should consult the doctor immediately.
屈臣氏藥劑師團隊
Watsons Pharmacy Team
