Which home medication may have contributed to a gout episode in a patient with hypertension?

Which home medication may have contributed to a gout episode in a patient with hypertension?

• A. Amlodipine
• B. Lisinopril
• C. Furosemide
• D. Metoprolol

Answer: (C)

Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly used to manage conditions like hypertension. One of the known side effects of diuretics, especially loop diuretics like furosemide, is that they can increase serum uric acid levels. Elevated uric acid can lead to the formation of urate crystals that result in gout attacks. Patients with a history of gout are particularly susceptible to factors that can precipitate an episode, and the use of furosemide may lead to an increase in the risk of hyperuricemia due to its diuretic effects, which can decrease renal clearance of uric acid. Therefore, it is plausible that using furosemide could have contributed to the development of a gout episode in this patient. Other medications listed, such as amlodipine, lisinopril, and metoprolol, are not commonly associated with increases in uric acid levels to the same extent as furosemide, making them less likely to contribute to a gout episode.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly used to manage conditions like hypertension. One of the known side effects of diuretics, especially loop diuretics like furosemide, is that they can increase serum uric acid levels. Elevated uric acid can lead to the formation of urate crystals that result in gout attacks.

Patients with a history of gout are particularly susceptible to factors that can precipitate an episode, and the use of furosemide may lead to an increase in the risk of hyperuricemia due to its diuretic effects, which can decrease renal clearance of uric acid. Therefore, it is plausible that using furosemide could have contributed to the development of a gout episode in this patient.

Other medications listed, such as amlodipine, lisinopril, and metoprolol, are not commonly associated with increases in uric acid levels to the same extent as furosemide, making them less likely to contribute to a gout episode.