Gout
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to ease pain and inflammation and to reduce uric acid levels in order to minimize the potential for future attacks and the potential for joint and kidney damage.
During acute attacks, patients may be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain and inflammation and if necessary with corticosteroids like prednisone. If those do not help to control symptoms, colchicine may be useful within the first 12 hours of an attack. NSAIDs or oral colchicine may be prescribed in small daily doses to prevent future attacks as well.
Drugs, such as probenecid or sulfinpyrazone, which lower uric acid, and allopurinol, which blocks the enzyme that produces uric acid, may be used to decrease the number and severity of future attacks.
People can also make lifestyle changes to minimize gout attacks. Examples of changes include:
- Minimize alcohol consumption
- Eat only moderate amounts of high-protein foods
- Avoid foods high in purines
- Exercise regularly
- Increase fluid intake to help the kidneys flush out uric acid
Always take any medications that your doctor prescribes as directed and tell your doctor about any other medicines or vitamins you are taking.
