All medications
Gout medicines
Pegloticase
Brand names: Krystexxa
An infused enzyme that rapidly breaks down uric acid, used for severe gout.
Video lesson
Animated explainer
What it’s used for
Chronic gout with tophi or frequent flares that hasn’t responded to oral medicines.
How it works
It converts uric acid into allantoin, which the kidneys clear easily.
How it’s taken
An IV infusion every 2 weeks, usually given with weekly methotrexate to keep it working.
Side effects
Infusion reactions, gout flares early on and, rarely, anaphylaxis.
Monitoring
G6PD testing before starting and a uric acid check before every infusion.
Good to know
If uric acid rises above 6 mg/dL before an infusion, treatment is stopped because reactions become more likely.
At a glance
Class
Gout medicines
Brand names
Krystexxa
Reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD, FACR
Questions about your own care?
Book an in-person or telehealth consultation with Dr. Tahir.
For education only. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without talking to your care team.