Tienilic acid is a
drug with established uricosuric and hypotensive properties. We have examined its potential role as a single treatment for hyperuricaemia and
hypertension, 2 disorders which are commonly associated. In 17 subjects with
gout, blood
uric acid levels were reduced by approximately 50%. Eleven of these patients also had
hypertension which was improved by
tienilic acid. However, a statistically significant effect was observed only with standing diastolic blood pressure. Side effects included acute episodes of
gout in 4 patients and transient loin
pain and
dysuria in 1 patient. The precipitation of
gouty arthritis is an acknowledged risk of all potent hypouricaemic drugs. The hazard of
urate deposition in the renal tract implicit in the history of loin
pain is a more serious complication. Thus, it would appear that
tienilic acid is a potentially valuable
drug which may have a special role in patients with hyperuricaemia and
hypertension. Further study is necessary to determine how it may be best administered without the risk of renal damage.