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Gout

The major options for sudden attacks of gout include

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or indomethacin
  • corticosteroids such as prednisone pills or by injection
  • colchicine--often high doses are required, whether in pill form or intravenously; diarrhea is common with this approach and persons with kidney and/or liver disease should not take high dose colchicine
  • pain medications.

These treatments are usually necessary only "as needed," for a few days or a week, until the attack subsides. In fact, even without any treatment, most attacks of gout will subside in a short amount of time.

For more severe or chronic forms of gout, medicines to reduce the blood urate level, including allopurinol, probenecid or sulfinpyrazone may be prescribed. These medications are typically taken long-term, but can prevent future attacks and reduce the chances of complications, such as joint damage.

Click on the appropriate link below to learn more about the course of gout over time, to learn more about how your particular symptoms might be treated, or to quit.

Course over time

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Online Medical Reviewer: Shmerling, Robert H. MD
Date Last Reviewed: 5/16/2006
Date Last Modified: 5/9/2006

Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
 
 
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Symptom Checker content copyright © 2006 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell. Use of content is subject to Terms & Conditions and Medical Disclaimer. More information on Harvard Medical School's publications and services is available at http://www.health.harvard.edu.

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