Drugs Affecting Calcium and Phosphorus Exchange
These drugs regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body and are often used in disorders like osteoporosis, hypocalcemia, or hyperphosphatemia.
Examples:
- Calcitonin: Lowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone resorption and increasing renal calcium excretion.
- Calcium supplements: Increase serum calcium levels, necessary in hypocalcemia or dietary deficiency.
Antigout Drugs
Antigout medications manage and prevent gout—an inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition in joints.
Classification
Pharmacodynamics
- NSAIDs: Inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes → ↓ prostaglandins → ↓ inflammation, pain, and fever.
- Colchicine: Disrupts microtubule polymerization, inhibiting leukocyte chemotaxis and decreasing inflammation.
- Corticosteroids: Inhibit cytokine production and immune cell activation → strong anti-inflammatory effect.
- Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors: Block xanthine oxidase enzyme → ↓ conversion of hypoxanthine/xanthine to uric acid → ↓ serum uric acid.
- Calcitonin: Binds to osteoclast receptors → inhibits bone resorption, promotes calcium excretion.
- Calcium supplements: Replenish serum calcium levels needed for neuromuscular function, bone health, and hormonal signaling.
Side Effects
Common:
- GI upset: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Weight gain, fluid retention, mood changes
- Insomnia, increased appetite
Rare/Severe:
- Peptic ulcers, GI bleeding
- Myopathy, neuropathy
- Bone marrow suppression
- Hepatotoxicity, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia
- Adrenal suppression, glaucoma
- Severe reactions: SJS, toxic epidermal necrolysis