Gout treatment: fast relief and long-term control
Gout hits hard and fast — one night your toe is fine, the next it’s swollen, red, and impossible to sleep through. You need clear steps: what helps the pain now, and what stops it coming back. This page shows practical, safe choices you can discuss with your doctor.
Fast relief for an acute gout attack
Act quickly. If you’ve had gout before, start a recommended anti-inflammatory right away if you can take it safely. Over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen) often work well unless you have stomach, heart, or kidney issues. Colchicine is another option, best started within 24 hours of symptoms. If NSAIDs and colchicine aren’t suitable, a short course of oral corticosteroids usually calms the pain and swelling.
Practical at-home steps: rest and elevate the joint, apply cool packs for 10–15 minutes, and avoid tight shoes. Don’t put heat on an inflamed joint — cold reduces swelling faster. Drink water but avoid alcohol and sugary sodas while the attack is active. If you have fever, severe spreading redness, or this is your first gout attack, get medical help to rule out infection or other causes.
Long-term control and prevention
To stop repeated attacks you need to lower uric acid. The most common long-term medicines are allopurinol and febuxostat. Your doctor usually starts at a low dose and increases it until your serum uric acid is under target (commonly <6 mg/dL). If your kidneys are busy or you’re on certain drugs, your doctor will pick the safest option and adjust doses.
When starting urate-lowering therapy, short-term flare prevention matters. Doctors often give low-dose colchicine or an NSAID for the first 3–6 months to reduce early flares while uric acid levels fall. Don’t stop a urate-lowering drug during a flare unless your clinician tells you to continue or pause it specifically.
Lifestyle changes support meds. Aim for steady weight loss if you’re overweight, drink plenty of water, limit beer and spirits, cut back on red meat and shellfish, and avoid high-fructose drinks. Eating more low-fat dairy, vegetables, and whole grains helps. Some people find tart cherry products reduce flare frequency — it’s safe to try alongside medical treatment.
Monitor and follow up: expect blood checks for uric acid and kidney function when you start treatment. If you get frequent attacks, develop tophi (hard nodules), or have kidney stones, specialized treatment or a referral to a rheumatologist is reasonable.
If you’re unsure where to start, tell your clinician about all medicines you take — diuretics, low-dose aspirin, and some heart drugs can raise uric acid or interact with gout meds. With the right quick care and a plan to lower uric acid, most people can cut attacks dramatically and avoid joint damage.
