Gout Treatments

Gout treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms of gout and long-term damage to the affected joints. The medications used as gout treatment can also help prevent future attacks of the disease. For treating acute gout, healthcare providers generally prescribe one of the following medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids (such as prednisone), or colchicine. For preventing future gout attacks, healthcare providers usually prescribe either allopurinol or uricosuric drugs.

 

An Overview of Gout Treatments

There are a number of other conditions that share similar symptoms with gout. Therefore, the first step in treating gout is making an accurate diagnosis. Once an accurate gout diagnosis is made, the healthcare provider will consider one of several medicines to help ease the pain of acute gout attacks.
 
Once the acute gout attack has improved, the next step in treating the condition is to:
 
  • Prevent future attacks
  • Avoid the formation of tophi and kidney stones.
     
Successful treatment can reduce both the discomfort caused by the symptoms of gout and long-term damage to the affected joints. Proper gout treatments can also help prevent disability due to this condition.
 

Acute Gout Treatment Medications

Acute gout treatment will include one of the following gout medications:
 
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
  • Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack.
     
These medicines are used to block the inflammatory reaction seen with gout. Drug treatment can relieve acute gout symptoms within 48 hours.
(Gout Treatments Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD