Study of the action of cicletanine in hyperuricemic patients

The possibility that the drug cicletanine might offer diuresis and reduction in plasma uric acid has been investigated in patients recruited from the rheumatology and general medical clinics. Nine hyperuricemic patients received cicletanine 100 mg daily by mouth for 21 days. Urinary clearance studies and plasma biochemistry were measured twice before treatment, twice at the start of treatment, and twice at the end of the treatment period. No change was observed in the urine volume, absolute or fractional excretion of sodium in response to the drug. There was no measurable change in the plasma uric acid or urinary urate clearance. Creatinine clearance and potassium excretion also remained constant. No adverse effects were observed apart from a possibly drug-related elevation in serum aspartate amino transferase in one patient. The study provides no support for the postulated diuretic or hypouricemic effects of the drug.