February 20, 2018
Gout drug safe at higher doses
Maori, Pacific and renal patients are likely to benefit from new research confirming higher doses of a popular gout drug are safe and effective.
Christchurch rheumatologist Professor Lisa Stamp won this year’s Value of Medicines Award from Medicines New Zealand for her study, which cleared up confusion about safe doses of allopurinol.
Some influential international gout experts have advised against higher doses, but Professor Stamp’s study found increased doses did not markedly affect the rates of side effects
They could prevent ongoing attacks and also help stop the disease from progressing to a chronic state in many patients.
She says she will use the $20,000 prize money for further research on predicting patient responses to allopurinol.
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