Gout Drug May Prevent Diabetes Complications
Allopurinol, a gout drug, may help prevent diabetes complications like kidney failure.
The drug has been long used to treat gout and other conditions, and researchers at University of Michigan, are conducting trials to see if the drug’s ability to suppress uric acid in the blood can help prevent renal failure.
Based on current health trends, 1 in 3 adults in the US may have diabetes by 2050. Diabetes brings with it a whole host of complications, the main one being kidney failure. Almost 15% of diabetes patients develop end-stage renal disease, requiring hemodialysis or a kidney transplant.
Allopurinol,which is also used to treat seizures, pain caused by pancreas disease and some infections. Studies have shown that it can also improve survival after bypass surgery, reduce ulcer relapses and prevent rejection of kidney transplants. The generic drug is supposed to be inexpensive and safe, and researchers believe that if it works in preventing kidney failure, it could prove life-changing for diabetics. More….
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