Gout treatment

Gout medication is used to treat the symptoms of a flare-up, and includes anti-inflammatory medications that you can get over the counter or on prescription. In some cases, steroids may be needed. Some people need long-term gout medication, usually if they have high levels of uric acid or frequent gout attacks (flare-ups).

Immediate gout pain relief medication

Gout attacks are usually treated with either:

• a type of medication called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), such as ibuprofen and naproxen – this can be bought over the counter or prescribed in higher doses by a doctor for gout
• gout medication, such as colchicine

Colchicine

Colchicine is a generic medication, which means the active ingredient is the same as the name on the box. It’s an anti-inflammatory medication that is used to help with the pain of sudden inflammation that gout causes. It can treat gout attacks and prevent future flare-ups. Studies show that colchicine can reduce pain symptoms by half in 42% of patients within 36 hours compared to 17% taking a placebo. You can take 1 tablet, 2 to 4 times a day until you feel better, but no more than 12 tablets during your treatment course.

NSAIDs

NSAIDs are usually taken 1 to 3 times a day depending on the medication, for a few days, to treat your symptoms. If this is not helping, speak to your doctor about gout treatment or a higher dose.

Colchicine is more specific to gout and your body’s reaction to the crystals that cause the pain. NSAIDs relieve general pain. You may be able to take both medications at the same time, but speak to your doctor first. If the swelling or pain is not getting better, you may need steroids, either as a tablet that you swallow or an injection.

Long-term gout medication

Allopurinol

If you have frequent gout attacks, you may be prescribed long-term gout medication. The main long-term gout treatment is allopurinol, which lowers the uric acid in your body over time by blocking the enzyme that makes it.

It can take a few weeks or months to feel the benefit and full effects, but it can be very effective for reducing uric acid, with studies showing 96% of people achieve their target uric acid level while taking it. This can significantly reduce the chance of getting gout attacks and their severity.

You’ll take 1 tablet a day, either 100 or 300mg, for as long as you need it. Your doctor may also prescribe colchicine alongside allopurinol for long-term gout treatment.

You can get gout medications online, from your GP, and over the counter. While over-the-counter treatment works for some people, if you need a stronger dose or more long-term treatment, you will need a prescription medication from a doctor.

Can you buy gout tablets online?

Yes, regulated online doctor services, including Asda Online Doctor, can prescribe gout tablets for you, if suitable. We can prescribe colchicine for a gout attack or long-term treatment with allopurinol, but only if you have already been diagnosed with gout by a doctor, because you need to be seen and have blood tests to confirm gout.

To get gout tablets from us, simply:

1. Complete a short medical questionnaire.
2. One of our doctors will review your request to assess your suitability.
3. If your request is approved, you can collect your gout treatment from a local Asda Pharmacy or get it delivered to your door.
4. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors may recommend an alternative treatment.

Our service is easy to use and allows you to get treatment for your symptoms quickly.

Is gout treatment available over the counter?

Yes, some gout treatment is available over the counter, but only NSAIDs like ibuprofen. You can get these at most stores and pharmacies, but if you need a higher dose, you will need a prescription from your doctor. Speak to your doctor if you need to take over-the-counter pain relief often for gout, as a prescription treatment may be more suitable for relieving pain and preventing flare-ups.

Different gout treatments can cause different side effects, but not everyone will get them. You should speak to your doctor if you get side effects from gout treatment, as another may be more suitable for you.

Colchicine

Colchicine side effects do not have a frequency for how often they happen, as there is not enough data. Side effects of colchicine include:

• neuropathy (nerve disease) or inflammation of the nerves, which can cause pain, weakness, tingling, numbness, and nerve damage
• hair loss
• rash
• abnormal muscle breakdown, which can lead to kidney problems
• kidney damage
• absence of periods for 6 months or longer, and pain or cramps during menstruation
• painful periods
• reduced sperm production (low or zero sperm count)
• vitamin B12 deficiency
• feeling sick or being sick
• diarrhoea

If you get any of the following side effects, stop taking colchicine and immediately speak to a doctor, call 999, or go to your nearest A&E:

• severe stomach pain
• blood in your vomit or stools, or sticky black stools
• red to brown discolouration of urine, muscle pain and weakness and fatigue
• yellowing of your skin or eyes
• infection symptoms such as high fever, sore mouth, severe sore throat, prolonged bleeding, bruising, or skin problems – these could be signs that you have a serious blood problem

Before taking colchicine, read the patient information leaflet contained with your medication.

Allopurinol

Common side effects of allopurinol include:

• skin rash
• increased level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which may cause symptoms like fatigue, constipation, and unexplained weight gain

Uncommon side effects of allopurinol include:

• nausea or vomiting
• abnormal liver tests
• diarrhoea

You can manage these symptoms by taking allopurinol after food and with a glass of water, staying hydrated, and eating small, frequent meals. If side effects do not get better, speak to your doctor straight away. You can read more side effects in the patient information leaflet that comes with your tablets.

Stop allopurinol and see a doctor urgently if you experience any of the following:

• fevers, sore throats, unexplained bleeding or bruising
• facial swelling, difficulty breathing or hives
• drowsiness or difficulties moving your limbs
• chest pain
• changes in your vision
• severe headache
• yellowing of your skin or eyes

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis where small crystals form around and inside the joints. It’s the most common type of inflammatory arthritis, it is most common in postmenopausal women and men over 30. For this, you do not necessarily have gout symptoms all the time. Instead, it causes flare-ups (gout attacks), which cause pain and swelling.

You can get gout in any joint, but it most commonly affects joints further down your limbs, such as the:

• knees
• ankles
• toes, and very commonly the big toe
• fingers

Gout affects 1 or more joints, and you may notice the following symptoms around the affected joint(s):

• swelling (inflammation)
• severe pain
• heat
• tenderness
• red, shiny skin

Nearly everyone who has gout will get another flare-up, and this usually happens within 1 year of their first gout attack.

Gout attacks are caused by a build-up of uric acid in your blood, causing tiny, sharp crystals to form around your joints called urate crystals. Everyone has urate in their blood, but when it becomes too high, it can cause gout. Your body then reacts to these crystals, and this is when you get symptoms like swelling and pain.

Some things can increase your chances of getting gout, such as:

• medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney problems
• eating a lot of foods that can cause a build-up of urate, including offal, seafood, and red meat
• having a family history of gout
• consuming drinks that contain a lot of sugar, including fruit juice, or drinking too much beer and spirits
• certain medications, including some chemotherapy treatments, beta-blockers, and diuretics

Medication is the main treatment for gout, but there are natural remedies you can try to help during a flare-up.

During a gout attack, try:

✔ resting the affected joint and keeping it raised on a pillow

✔ staying well hydrated by drinking lots of water

✔ using a cool compress like an ice pack for around 20 minutes at a time

✔ keeping the joint cool by removing any clothing surrounding it

Nutrition is an important part of naturally reducing the chance of gout attacks, especially by cutting back on high-purine foods. This is because purine (a natural compound found in many foods) is broken down by the body into uric acid.

Some diets that can help with gout include:

• Mediterranean diet – a low-purine diet that includes lots of natural foods like fruit, veg, whole grains, and healthy fat
• DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) – created to reduce high blood pressure (hypertension) and a great diet for people with both gout and hypertension, this diet is low in salt and focuses on eating more fruit and veg and reducing red meats and processed food

This table provides a few more nutrition tips for gout:

You can help to prevent future gout flares by:

• following a gout-friendly diet, as discussed in the previous section, such as drinking lots of water and avoiding high-purine foods
• taking long-term gout medications that lower uric acid levels, such as allopurinol
• losing and maintaining a healthy weight
• exercising regularly, but avoiding exercise that puts a lot of strain on affected joints

What is the fastest way to get immediate gout pain relief?

The fastest way to get immediate gout pain relief is by taking gout medication, which can include NSAIDs like ibuprofen or anti-inflammatory medication like colchicine. You can also try icing the affected area and keeping it raised.

Can I request a gout medication prescription online?

Yes, you can request a gout medication prescription online, from regulated services like Asda Online Doctor. If you’ve been diagnosed with gout and have the same symptoms, fill in a short form for one of our doctors to review. If suitable, we can prescribe the gout medication colchicine, which can reduce the pain and swelling during a gout attack.

How can I treat gout in the foot?

Gout treatment for the foot is the same as treating gout in any joint. You can take medication, including over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory treatments and gout medication. It can also help to rest and raise your foot on some pillows, as well as using ice packs to reduce heat and swelling.

Can gout be cured?

Gout cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed, and in some cases, it may not come back. However, it’s common to have another gout attack within 1 year of your first. There are long-term gout medications that can reduce the number of gout attacks you have or stop them altogether while taking it.

How long does a gout flare-up typically last?

Untreated, a gout flare-up can last 1 to 2 weeks. With treatment, it can last for less time and be less severe. It’s important to get treatment for gout, as leaving it untreated can make flare-ups last longer, which could cause permanent damage to your joints.

Can I drink alcohol while taking gout medication?

Alcohol is usually safe with most gout medications, but it’s recommended to avoid it. This is because alcohol, especially beer and spirits, increases your levels of uric acid and can make gout attacks worse and happen more often. You should check with your doctor if you want to drink alcohol and are taking any gout medication.