Q: I am a 35 years old male suffering from high uric acid (7.4) since a few years. I took Zyloric 300 for a month after which my uric acid level came to 5.1. Now again, I am suffering from high uric acid level (7.2) and am taking Zyloric 300 and Alkacitron (Sodium acid citrate) syrup. In the mean time, my blood pressure went high to 160/100 mm/Hg. What causes high blood pressure? Is it linked to the medicine?

A:As you know that you are suffering with high uric acid and gouty arthritis, your rise in blood pressure could be due to the urate nephropathy. You are requested to get your renal functions and ultrasound of KUB (kidney, ureter and bladder) for any abnormality in the renal system. As such hypertension is found more often in patients of hyperuricaemia. You may also require long term treatment of hyperuricaemia with hypouricosuric drugs such as Zyloric. It would be better, if you meet a rheumatologist for this purpose.