What Is The Best Medicine For The Hour?

Brief Answer:
different options available

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service...

As you may already be knowing, Gout is due to elevated uric acid levels.

It is treated in 3 ways:
(1) treatment of the acute attack/flare up
(2) providing prophylaxis/prevention to prevent an acute attack
(3) lowering uric acid levels to prevent it from settling in a joint

(1) In treating the acute flare-up of gout, the options are NSAIDs, colchicine, steroids (by mouth or injection or IV or in joint)

NSAIDs are most often used eg diclofenac, naproxen, ketoprofen. The response to the NSAID is individual eg if you find one works best for you, can stick with that one

Colchicine is not used as often as NSAIDs now.

(2) In terms of prophylaxis or prevention-allopurinol or febuxostat or probenecid can be used
For the first 6 months of use, need to take with NSAIDs or steroids or colchicine
There are meds that are used to treat an acute gout attack and medications used to try and keep the uric acid levels low.

(3) There are a number of lists online that talk about foods high in purines or have medium or low levels...Foods with high purine should be avoided etc smelt, sardines, mussels

Those with moderately high levels include: anchovies, trout, scallops, mutton, veal, liver, bacon, salmon

In summary: medications such as Naproxen or Diclofenac or Ketoprofen can be used for an acute flare-up.

If no improvement then colchicine or steroids can be used

I hope this helps...

Feel free to ask any other questions

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