Methods for Treating Gout Flares

Abstract

Methods of treating gout flares comprising administering a composition comprising a first urate-lowering agent are disclosed. In some aspects, the first urate-lowering agent is (−)-halofenate, (−)-halofenic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Other aspects provide for methods of reducing the number, duration, frequency or intensity of gout flares experienced by a subject.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for decreasing the number, duration, frequency, or intensity of gout flares experienced by a subject during initiation or maintenance of therapy for the disappearance or reduction of tophi, comprising administration to the subject of a therapeutically effective amount of a flare decreasing agent that is selected from the group consisting of (−)-halofenate and (−)-halofenic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and substantially free from the corresponding (+)-enantiomer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  where the flare decreasing agent is (−)-halofenate. 
     
     
         21 . The method of claim  197  where the flare decreasing agent is (−)-halofenic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  where the therapeutically effective amount of the flare decreasing agent is between about 50 mg/day and about 1000 mg/day. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  where the therapeutically effective amount of the flare decreasing agent is between about 400 mg/day and about 1000 mg/day. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  where the therapeutically effective amount of the flare decreasing agent is 400, 600, or 800 mg/day. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising concomitant administration to the subject of a therapeutically effective amount of a flare prophylaxis agent or a pain management agent. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , where the concomitant administration comprises concurrent administration of the flare decreasing agent and the flare prophylaxis agent or pain management agent. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  where the concomitant administration comprises sequential administration of the flare decreasing agent and the flare prophylaxis agent or pain management agent. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  where the flare decreasing agent is (−)-halofenate. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25  where the flare decreasing agent is (−)-halofenic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25  where the therapeutically effective amount of the flare decreasing agent is between about 50 mg/day and about 1000 mg/day. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  where the therapeutically effective amount of the flare decreasing agent is between about 400 mg/day and about 1000 mg/day. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  where the therapeutically effective amount of the flare decreasing agent is 400, 600, or 800 mg/day. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25  where the flare prophylaxis agent or pain management agent is an NSAID, an opiate, or colchicine. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  where the flare prophylaxis agent or pain management agent is colchicine.