Gout Treatment & Medication

Are you wondering whether you are suffering from gout arthritis, how you get gout, or even how to treat gout on foot? Read below to learn more about gout and its causes.

What is arthritis gout?

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by high uric acid levels in the body, leading to painful swelling and redness in the joints.

It usually starts in your big toe or lower limbs but can occur in other joints such like:

• Gout in knees
• Gout in hands
• Gout in wrists
• Gout in ankles
• Gout in feet
• Gout in elbows 

A gout attack, also known as a flare-up, can come on quickly, often within 6-24 hours, and severe pain can last 3-10 days. Once you have had gout, it is likely to happen again.

How is gout diagnosed?

Your doctor will usually perform a blood test to measure the levels of uric acid in your blood to determine whether you have gout.

What does gout look like?

Gout presents as swelling and redness around the affected area. You are also likely to experience symptoms including intense pain and discomfort.

Other gout symptoms include:

• Joint stiffness
• Joint swelling
• Discolouration, usually redness on the skin
• Tenderness in the skin and joint
• Skin that is hot to the touch

What causes gout?

It is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid is made in the body and normally excreted by the kidneys. 

Too much uric acid can cause the body to form sodium urate crystals in the joints, which can slowly build up over the years.

Gout occurs more commonly in older age.

What is the main cause of gout?

Your chances of getting gout increase as follows:

• Age and sex - more prevalent amongst the old and men in particular
• Being overweight or obese
• High blood pressure or diabetes
• If relatives suffer from it
• Long-term kidney problems
• Drinking too much beer or spirits
• Eating foods rich in purines, such as sardines, fish food or liver
• Medications

What causes gout in females?

Many women won't experience gout before they reach menopause. Once a woman reaches menopause, the likelihood of getting gout increases and can be caused by the factors listed above.

Foods that cause gout

Gout can be caused by eating too many foods high in purines, purines are found mainly in animal products. Avoiding certain foods reduces uric acid levels therefore reducing the risk of flare-ups.

If you suffer from gout, you should consider consuming less of the following:

• Food and drinks high in sugar
• Processed snacks containing high fructose corn syrup
• Meats such as certain seafood, red meat, game, turkey and organ meats

Alcoholic beverages should also be limited or avoided if possible, alcohol consumption can prevent your kidneys from cleaning out these purines properly.

How long does gout last?

Once you get gout, you will likely continue to experience attacks, also known as flare-ups. A flare-up often lasts between one and two weeks, and during that time, you will experience some or all of the gout symptoms listed above. 

You will not usually experience any pain or discomfort in between flare-ups. The frequency of flare-ups differs from person to person and could also depend on the severity of your condition.

What to do when you have a gout flare-up?

Gout symptoms can often be managed during a flare by lifestyle changes such as:

• Reducing the amount of purines you consume through your food and drinks
• Avoid excessive alcohol
• Exercise more
• Drink plenty of water
• Apply ice packs or a cold compress if the skin is warm and swollen

There are also prescription and non-prescription medicines that can help relieve symptoms.

Gout treatments

Over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Ibuprofen and Naproxen can be purchased over the counter to help reduce the pain and swelling.

If these treatments are unsuitable or ineffective at relieving the gout pain, you could consider these prescription-only options:

Colchicine

Colchicine 500mcg tablets contain the active ingredient colchicine. These tablets are an effective treatment for acute (severe) gout.

These small tablets work by treating pain and swelling and can be a suitable alternative for people with gout who cannot take anti-inflammatory pain relievers. This could be due to stomach or kidney issues. You should always check with a doctor before starting any new medication.

How Colchicine works

Colchicine lowers the number of white blood cells that enter the swollen joints. 

This breaks the cycle of inflammation and encourages the symptoms to settle down faster.

Start the online doctor's consultation to request Colchicine for gout.

Indometacin

Indometacin capsules are a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat inflammation-related fever, pain, stiffness, and swelling. This medicine is available in 25mg and 50mg strengths.

How Indometacin works

It works by blocking the creation of prostaglandins, the molecules that are responsible for causing swelling. This is done by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which causes the formation of prostaglandins.

Important to note: This medication is only suitable for short-term relief of gout, and longer-term sufferers should also visit their GP.

Start the online doctor's consultation to request Indometacin for gout.

Ordering gout treatment online

You can request prescription-only gout medication online with Oxford Online Pharmacy via an online consultation with an independent GMC-registered doctor.

Please select your treatment for gout arthritis and complete the online doctor consultation.

Your answers will then be assessed by the doctor, and if approved, a prescription will be issued.

If you already have a private or NHS prescription, you can select the prescribed medication and send your prescription to Oxford Online Pharmacy.

When your treatment is approved and prescription written, your treatment for gout disease will be dispensed and sent to you in discrete packaging.

How to get rid of gout

Unfortunately, there is no 10 minute gout cure and it cannot be fully cured. Managing gout can be done by making lifestyle adjustments. 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a specific gout diet, will help prevent flare-ups. 

Flare-up symptoms of gout can be managed by non-prescription and prescription NSAIDs if needed.

If you get more than 3-4 gout attacks per year, you should see your GP to discuss taking a medicine (Allopurinol) to prevent them altogether.

What happens if gout symptoms are not managed?

If you experience frequent flare-ups and your gout is left untreated, you may increase the risk of:

• Joint damage
• Hard lumps under your skin are known as tophi. They usually appear on your ears, fingers or elbows. They can be very painful and impact your ability to fulfil daily tasks
• Chronic arthritis (rare)
• Kidney stones

References

1. Gout Symptoms, Causes & Diet Recommendations | NIAMS
2. Gout - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
3. Gout: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention - Cleveland Clinic
4. Gout - NHS