Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAlcohol and GoutDrinking With GoutAllopurinol and AlcoholAlcohol AlternativesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Alcohol and Gout
Drinking With Gout
Allopurinol and Alcohol
Alcohol Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Drinking alcohol can trigger flares ofgout. As little as one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period can cause a gout flare, and the risk increases the more drinks you have daily.
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Gout symptomsinclude sudden and severe joint pain (especially in the fingers and toes), swelling, stiffness, and a mild fever. Both the type of alcohol consumed as well as the amount of alcohol consumed play a role in the severity and likelihood of a gout flare.
This article will discuss the effects of consuming alcohol on individuals who experience gout, including how much alcohol and the types of alcohol that impact gout the most. This article will also detail alcohol alternatives, gout medications, and more.
Knowing Your Gout Triggers
Flare-Ups, Alcohol, and Gout
Effects
Alcohol can raise uric acid levels for a number of reasons, including:
This excess amount of uric acid can lead to the development of crystals that end up lodging in the joints, usually the big toe.This is what triggers what is known as a gout flare.
Quantity
The amount of alcohol consumed matters. Research has shown that high alcohol consumption is an independent risk factor for developing gout.
Once a person has gout, any amount of alcohol increases the risk of a flare. Dietary recommendations for people with gout include not drinking alcohol at least three days per week.
Types of Alcohol
The type of alcohol consumed matters. Studies have found that while beer, liquor, and wine can all impact gout to varying degrees,beer comes with the highest risk of triggering a gout flare.
Can You Drink Alcohol With Gout?
Yes, youcandrink alcohol with gout, although limited quantities are recommended.Every person will experience gout differently, which means paying attention to your particular triggers is vital to managing your condition.
Allopurinolis a type of gout medication that reduces the production of uric acid in the body. It is sold under the brand names Zyloprim and Lopurin in the United States.Allopurinol is prescribed to preventgout attacks. There are no restrictions on taking it while drinking alcohol.However, it can cause drowsiness.
Other Gout Medications
Other gout medications used to prevent a flare include:
Gout medications used during a flare include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and inflammation during a gout attack.However, you should not consume large amounts of alcohol while taking any NSAID. These include:
Because there is a social component to alcohol, you may be interested in finding alcohol alternatives when socializing. Some such options include nonalcoholic seltzers and mocktails (also called zero-proof beverages).
But when selecting alternative beverages, opt for those not sweetened with sugar, fructose, or high-fructose corn syrup, as these can raise uric acid levels.
You never need an excuse for enjoying an alternative to alcohol. It is an individual choice and should be respected.
Foods to Avoid With GoutFoods and drinks to avoid with goutinclude:Red meatOrgan meat (such as liver)Crustaceans (such as shrimp, prawns, crab, lobster)AlcoholSugar-sweetened beveragesYeast
Foods to Avoid With Gout
Foods and drinks to avoid with goutinclude:Red meatOrgan meat (such as liver)Crustaceans (such as shrimp, prawns, crab, lobster)AlcoholSugar-sweetened beveragesYeast
Foods and drinks to avoid with goutinclude:
Summary
Alcohol can raise the risk of developing gout and the risk of having a gout flare for a person with gout. The risk of triggering a flare increases with each drink. Because of this, reducing or eliminating alcohol is recommended for those with gout.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. All types of alcohol are associated with high levels of uric acid.Learn MoreHow Does Wine Affect Gout?NSAIDs such as Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) can help reduce the pain and swelling associated with a gout flare. Avoiding triggers and regularly taking medications is key to preventing gout.Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is a major risk factor for developing gout.Alcohol raises uric acid levels in the body, the main cause of gout.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Gout
No. All types of alcohol are associated with high levels of uric acid.Learn MoreHow Does Wine Affect Gout?
No. All types of alcohol are associated with high levels of uric acid.
Learn MoreHow Does Wine Affect Gout?
NSAIDs such as Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) can help reduce the pain and swelling associated with a gout flare. Avoiding triggers and regularly taking medications is key to preventing gout.
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is a major risk factor for developing gout.Alcohol raises uric acid levels in the body, the main cause of gout.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Gout
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is a major risk factor for developing gout.Alcohol raises uric acid levels in the body, the main cause of gout.
Learn MoreHow to Prevent Gout
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wang M, Jiang X, Wu W, Zhang D.A meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and the risk of gout.Clin Rheumatol. 2013;32(11):1641-8. doi:10.1007/s10067-013-2319-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Rasheed H, Stamp LK, Dalbeth N, Merriman TR.Interaction of the GCKR and A1CF loci with alcohol consumption to influence the risk of gout.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):161. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1369-yArthritis Foundation.Gout.Roddy E, Choi H.Epidemiology of gout.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(2):155-175. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.01.001Engel B, Just J, Bleckwenn M, Weckbecker K.Treatment options for gout.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(13):215-222. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0215Neogi T, Chen C, Niu J, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Zhang Y.Alcohol quantity and type on risk of recurrent gout attacks: an internet-based case-crossover study.Am J Med. 2014;127(4):311-318. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.12.019Towiwat P, Li ZG.The association of vitamin C, alcohol, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt with uric acid and gout.Int J Rheum Dis. 2015;18(5):495-501. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12622MedlinePlus.Allopurinol.Food and Drug Administration.Zyloprim.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.MedlinePlus.Naproxen.MedlinePlus.Indomethacin.MedlinePlus.Sulindac.MedlinePlus.Diclofenac.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wang M, Jiang X, Wu W, Zhang D.A meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and the risk of gout.Clin Rheumatol. 2013;32(11):1641-8. doi:10.1007/s10067-013-2319-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Rasheed H, Stamp LK, Dalbeth N, Merriman TR.Interaction of the GCKR and A1CF loci with alcohol consumption to influence the risk of gout.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):161. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1369-yArthritis Foundation.Gout.Roddy E, Choi H.Epidemiology of gout.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(2):155-175. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.01.001Engel B, Just J, Bleckwenn M, Weckbecker K.Treatment options for gout.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(13):215-222. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0215Neogi T, Chen C, Niu J, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Zhang Y.Alcohol quantity and type on risk of recurrent gout attacks: an internet-based case-crossover study.Am J Med. 2014;127(4):311-318. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.12.019Towiwat P, Li ZG.The association of vitamin C, alcohol, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt with uric acid and gout.Int J Rheum Dis. 2015;18(5):495-501. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12622MedlinePlus.Allopurinol.Food and Drug Administration.Zyloprim.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.MedlinePlus.Naproxen.MedlinePlus.Indomethacin.MedlinePlus.Sulindac.MedlinePlus.Diclofenac.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wang M, Jiang X, Wu W, Zhang D.A meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and the risk of gout.Clin Rheumatol. 2013;32(11):1641-8. doi:10.1007/s10067-013-2319-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Rasheed H, Stamp LK, Dalbeth N, Merriman TR.Interaction of the GCKR and A1CF loci with alcohol consumption to influence the risk of gout.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):161. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1369-yArthritis Foundation.Gout.Roddy E, Choi H.Epidemiology of gout.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(2):155-175. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.01.001Engel B, Just J, Bleckwenn M, Weckbecker K.Treatment options for gout.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(13):215-222. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0215Neogi T, Chen C, Niu J, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Zhang Y.Alcohol quantity and type on risk of recurrent gout attacks: an internet-based case-crossover study.Am J Med. 2014;127(4):311-318. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.12.019Towiwat P, Li ZG.The association of vitamin C, alcohol, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt with uric acid and gout.Int J Rheum Dis. 2015;18(5):495-501. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12622MedlinePlus.Allopurinol.Food and Drug Administration.Zyloprim.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.MedlinePlus.Naproxen.MedlinePlus.Indomethacin.MedlinePlus.Sulindac.MedlinePlus.Diclofenac.
Wang M, Jiang X, Wu W, Zhang D.A meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and the risk of gout.Clin Rheumatol. 2013;32(11):1641-8. doi:10.1007/s10067-013-2319-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.
Rasheed H, Stamp LK, Dalbeth N, Merriman TR.Interaction of the GCKR and A1CF loci with alcohol consumption to influence the risk of gout.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):161. doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1369-y
Arthritis Foundation.Gout.
Roddy E, Choi H.Epidemiology of gout.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(2):155-175. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.01.001
Engel B, Just J, Bleckwenn M, Weckbecker K.Treatment options for gout.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(13):215-222. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0215
Neogi T, Chen C, Niu J, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Zhang Y.Alcohol quantity and type on risk of recurrent gout attacks: an internet-based case-crossover study.Am J Med. 2014;127(4):311-318. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.12.019
Towiwat P, Li ZG.The association of vitamin C, alcohol, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt with uric acid and gout.Int J Rheum Dis. 2015;18(5):495-501. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12622
MedlinePlus.Allopurinol.
Food and Drug Administration.Zyloprim.
MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.
MedlinePlus.Naproxen.
MedlinePlus.Indomethacin.
MedlinePlus.Sulindac.
MedlinePlus.Diclofenac.
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