The medicines who can treat acute gout or can prevent further attacks are: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine and corticosteroids. There are some medicines which can be used to prevent further attacks of gout in addition to low-dose colchicine.



NSAIDs include indomethacin (Indocin), ibuprofen (Advil) and naxopren (Aleve). Celecoxib (Celebrex) is a new drug which can be used. Aspirin is not recommended. To control the inflammation high doses of drugs which can be tapered off within a couple of weeks are used.

If the patient has other health care problems, especially peptic ulcer disease or intestinal bleeding, or is taking Coumadin, or has problems with kidney function must announce the doctor. Because the upset stomach, bleeding ulcers and decreased kidney function are the principal complications of these medications.

Depending on the intention of doctor colchicine is given in two different ways. Colchicine is given up to once an hour until symptoms improve, side effects develop, or a maximum of 10 doses is reached for treating the hot, swollen joint. Most people can develop nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, if this approach is often effective.So a little colchicine need to be used in this way any longer.

Once or twice a day colchicine can be given for preventing an attack from coming back. In this case diarrhea is much less likely to occur.The accumulation of uric acid that can lead to joint damage even without attacks of hot, swollen joints cannot be prevented while the chronic use of cochicine can reduce the attacks of gout. If exists problems with kidney or liver function the doctor must be announced.

Generally corticosteroids like prednisone are prescribed when the doctor feels that is better than using NSAIDs. It is important that these prescribed medications to be taken for avoiding problems. As pills,a high dose is used initially and is tapered off within a couple of weeks. There are some complications which appear when are used corticosteroids for a short-term like altered mood, elevated blood pressure and problems with control of glucose in patients with diabetes.

Also corticosteroids can be injected into the swollen joint and occasionaly, they or corticotropin (ACTH), a related compound, can be injected into the muscle. The medicines used to prevent further attacks of gout in addition to low-dose colchicine are: probenecid and allopurinol. Probenocid helps body to eliminate excess uric acid through the kidneys and into the urine. To prevent uric acid kidney stones from forming the patient must drink at least 2 liters of fluid a day.

If kidney problems are present a doctor should be consult. For this one a possible medication is the use of allopurinol. The doctor should become aware when a patient is taking some drug which interact with probenecid. Stomach pain, headache, diarrhea and rash are given by taking allopurinol. If a rash or fever develop allopurinol must be stop. The hypersensitivity of allopurinol may appear in some cases. This one can cause a severe skin rash, fever, kidney failure, liver failure, bone marrow failure.

When taking azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine or cyclophosphamide the doctor should be consult and he is the one who will adjust the dose of allopurinol. The lack of effective treatment may rarely need surgery. A regular contact with the doctor is very important. Gouty arthritis present two steps of treatment. The first one is the currying of acute arthritis. The second step is preventing gouty arthritis from happening.For an acute attack low doses of colchicine are needed and on the other hand medications which low the blood uric acid levels are avoided because they could intensify the attack.

If it is necessary to start medications to lower the serum uric level a doctor should be consult. Because many treatments and medications exist in our days the gout may be efficiently curried.