Gout

There are a number of treatment options for sudden (acute) attacks of gout other than NSAIDs, including

• steroid pills

• steroid injections

• colchicine

• pain medications

• splinting

• time.

In addition, there are preventative measures that can make attacks less likely, including

• avoid diuretics (often called "water pills" because they increase urination)

• avoid alcohol, especially binge drinking

• avoid dehydration

• long-term medications (including allopurinol, probenecid and sulfinpyrazone) that can prevent attacks and lower the risk of complications.

These are usually reserved for those who have attacks of gout that are particularly severe, frequent, difficult to treat or involve more than one joint at the same time.

Talk with your doctor about your history of gout and which approach -- intermittent treatment for sudden attacks or long-term treatment to prevent attacks--makes the most sense for you.

At this point, would you like to see more general information about gout? Or, would you prefer to quit now?

General information about gout

I'm ready to quit.