Sulfinpyrazone

With the pharmacological agent Sulfinpyrazone it is a chemical compound. The substance sulfinpyrazone belongs to the category of pyrazolidines. As a drug, sulfinpyrazone is primarily used against symptoms such as gout. Basically, the drug is a substance from the group of uricosurics.

What is sulfinpyrazone?

The active ingredient sulfinpyrazone is obtained by reacting the chemical molecule hydrazobenzene with another ester compound. Sulfinpyrazone is the result of the chemical reaction. The active ingredient is basically a derivative of the substance pyrazolidine.

The substance is primarily characterized by the fact that it inhibits coagulation. In addition, sulfinpyrazone supports the kidneys in their function of excreting uric acid.

The molecule of the substance sulfinpyrazone is characterized by three benzene rings. At room temperature the substance appears as a solid powder of white color. It is only slightly soluble in water and does not give off any odor.

Sulfinpyrazone is not only one of the uricosuric drugs, but is also a so-called platelet aggregation inhibitor. These substances are characterized by the property of increasing the renal excretion of uric acid. For this reason, it is used, for example, in the treatment of gout or related complaints.

However, in Switzerland, for example, there are currently no longer any preparations available on the market that contain the substance sulfinpyrazone. Before that, the drug Anturan® was sold in the form of dragees.

In the medical field, the substance sulfinpyrazone is primarily used as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation.

Pharmacological effect

Basically, the active ingredient sulfinpyrazone is a so-called uricosuric, which is characterized by corresponding modes of action and effects on the human organism. The drug is also a platelet aggregation inhibitor.

Industrial production methods are used to obtain the pharmacological substance sulfinpyrazone. As part of the synthesis of the substance, a chemical reaction between hydrazobenzene and a diethyl ester is initiated. As a result, the substance sulfinpyrazone is formed.

Since the drug is derived from the substance phenylbutazone, it is well suited for the treatment of gout, among other things. Due to this relationship, the substance also has the effect of slowing down the so-called cyclooxygenase, as it contains special inhibitors. As a result, sulfinpyrazone also inhibits the synthesis of so-called prostaglandins, which are located in the platelets.

The active ingredient sulfinpyrazone is administered orally in the majority of cases. In the first place, dragées containing different concentrations of the substance are used. The only preparations currently available are drugs with the name Anturan. However, these are only available in international pharmacies or certain mail-order pharmacies, as the active ingredient sulfinpyrazone is no longer sold in many countries.

The mechanism of action of the substance sulfinpyrazone is primarily characterized by the fact that the drug triggers uricous effects in the human organism.In particular, the reabsorption of uric acid in the kidneys is inhibited by the substance sulfinpyrazone. The anticoagulant effect of the drug is due to the fact that sulfinpyrazone inhibits the secretion of the two substances serotonin and ADP. As a result, the aggregation of platelets is also inhibited.

In addition, the substance sulfinpyrazone is also able to have a positive effect on the lifespan of platelets.

Medical application & use

Sulfinpyrazone is suitable for the treatment of various physical complaints and diseases. The most frequent indication for the prescription of sulfinpyrazone is usually gout. In addition, numerous doctors prescribe the drug for the prophylaxis of thrombosis.

The drug sulfinpyrazone is also occasionally used to prevent reinfarction. Basically, however, it should be noted that the active ingredient is no longer used in many countries today. Appropriate drugs are only still available in the USA and Great Britain. Because sulfinpyrazone sometimes has a negative effect on the functioning of the kidneys. For this reason, patients with kidney disease should urgently not take the drug. The active ingredient is characterized by a high Q0 value, as a result of which metabolites excreted by the kidneys are formed.

Risks & side effects

Numerous undesirable side effects and complaints are possible as part of therapy with sulfinpyrazone. However, these differ depending on the person being treated and vary depending on the individual case.

For example, gastrointestinal complaints often occur during treatment with the drug. These can manifest themselves as nausea or vomiting. In addition, ulcers or exanthema can occur. In addition, some patients suffer from fever and dizziness while taking it. In some cases, bone marrow depression and ataxia are also evident.

Sulfinpyrazone is no longer approved in Germany. As some patients have had kidney failure a short time after starting therapy. In some people the kidney dysfunction was reversible, but another patient died.