Uric acid kidney stones

Dietary measures are probably of little value and are difficult to implement. Effective prevention can be achieved by the long-term use of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol to maintain the serum urate and urinary uric acid excretion in the normal range. A high fluid intake should also be maintained.

Uric acid is more soluble at alkaline pH and long-term sodium bicarbonate supplementation to maintain an alkaline urine is an alternative approach in those few patients unable to take allopurinol.

Uric acid stones occur when increased amounts of uric acid circulate in the bloodstream. When the uric acid content becomes very high, it can no longer remain dissolved and solid bits of uric acid settle out of the urine.

Stones are common but your sex, age, diet, climate, and genetic makeup will determine your chance of getting a stone during your life.

High blood levels of uric acid in the body can cause the excess to be deposited in the joints, leading to gout.

However, alkalinization of the urine facilitates precipitation of calcium oxalate and phosphate.