What Are The Common Gout Medications?

Gout seems to be one of the many forms of arthritis. It appears to be because of urate buildup in the joints. This condition may have many symptoms, including severe joint pain and swelling. It seems that the big toe is the most common location for this condition. However, it may develop in the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, and fingers too. Symptoms appear to develop suddenly and at night. The pain may be severe for four to twelve hours. Discomfort, though, may last for weeks. Reduced range of motion in the joints may appear in long-term patients.

It seems that most patients use prescription medicine for gout pain. This can include uric acid lowering medicine. However, some may find that over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine for gout is effective. Ointment for gout pain may also be an option. Some patients also appear to benefit from a gout diet and other natural remedies for gout. However, gout control medications seem to still be necessary. Thus, patients may want to know about their specific options.

Colchicine

Colchicine may help get rid of gout pain. A low daily dose appears to be prescribed to prevent future gout attacks. Most patients seem to take this medication orally. It may help their symptoms by reducing the buildup of uric acid crystals. This medication also appears to reduce joint swelling. However, some conditions may make this medication unsafe for patients. They should consider telling their doctor if they have a history of liver or kidney disease.

Some medications, including cholesterol medicine, may also interact with this one. Individuals also appear to experience side effects when they take colchicine. Common side effects may include vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, and nausea. Other effects seem to be shortness of breath, severe diarrhea, and muscle weakness. Numb fingers and toes may also occur. Patients may want to call their doctor immediately for these effects.

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Allopurinol

Allopurinol seems to reduce gout complications. This medication may lower how much uric acid the body makes. It should mean less of this acid in their blood, which can help reduce symptoms. This medication does not appear to treat gout attacks. It seems to be prescribed only for complications. These may include joint damage, kidney stones, and chronic kidney disease. This medication appears to be especially helpful for patients who experience several gout attacks a year. It may also help severe pain during these attacks.

This medication seems to have many side effects. The most likely appear to be nausea, rashes, and diarrhea. Patients may want to tell their doctor right away about the rash. The rash that this medication may cause is hard to spot. It seems to appear in several ways, including raised and flat. Patients should also consider talking to their doctor immediately about other side effects. These effects may include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

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Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help gout patients. These medications seem to treat symptom flares and prevent future ones. It seems as if the most common include ibuprofen and naproxen. Indomethacin may be used too. Patients appear to need high doses during gout attacks. Low doses taken daily seem to prevent future attacks. However, patients may need to try several anti-inflammatories before they find one that is effective for them.

However, these drugs may cause many side effects. Some of them seem to include ulcers, high blood pressure, and pain in the abdomen. Fluid retention may also occur. Some patients appear to have concentration problems and dizziness as well. Doctors may need to know immediately if patients deal with fatigue, middle back pain, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. Issues urinating may also merit this call. It seems that patients may relieve these effects by adjusting their dose. Switching to a different medication may help too. However, patients with kidney problems may not be able to take anti-inflammatories.

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Corticosteroids

Some patients may take certain corticosteroids to try treating and preventing gout attacks. It seems that individuals who cannot take anti-inflammatories or colchicine take them. Corticosteroids may reduce gout pain and inflammation. It appears oral medications are more common, though injections of this type of medication may also be available. Individuals may only be able to take corticosteroids for short periods. This may be due to potential side effects. These effects seem to include mood changes, increased blood sugar, high blood pressure, and problems sleeping. A patient may also be at a higher risk of bone fractures.

Patients may need to talk to their doctor about certain parts of their medical history before taking this medication. Corticosteroids may need to be adjusted or avoided for those with kidney disease, diabetes, or heart disease. Liver disease, osteoporosis, and eye issues may also present a problem. Patients who take corticosteroids may need to stop using it under their doctor's supervision. This may be particularly important when they have taken it for longer than fourteen days. Doing so appears to help them avoid symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms seem to include body aches, fatigue, and nausea.

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Probenecid

Probenecid seems to help an individual's kidneys remove uric acid from their body. This may be because it is a uricosuric medication. This medication appears to be prescribed to prevent or treat gout attacks. However, though it reduces uric acid in the blood, it may increase it in the urine. This medication may also trigger many side effects. These side effects may include kidney stones, stomach pain, and rashes. Patients may want to consider calling their doctor right away about certain effects too. Examples seem to include painful urinating, urine color changes, problems urinating, lower back pain, and urine volume changes. Easy bruising, pale stool, severe pain in the abdomen, and signs of infection may also require this call.