Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC MedicationPrescriptionsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Gout GuideFoods to Eat and Avoid With Gout
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Home Remedies
OTC Medication
Prescriptions
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Gout Guide
Treatment forgoutinvolves relieving pain and inflammation and reducing the buildup andcrystallization of uric acidin affected joints.
Lifestyle changes, such asdietary and alcohol restrictions, may reduce the frequency of attacks. Chronic flares may require prescription medications to help reduce uric acid levels in the blood.
This article covers the various home remedies, lifestyle changes, prescription drugs, and other therapies that are available to treatgout symptoms.
Verywell
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Treatment for goutmay start with lifestyle changes to manage mild symptoms. The goal is to help reduce symptoms and prevent future attacks.
Treatment is focused on two things: reducing uric acid levels to avoid gout flares and relieving gout pain when flares happen.
Pain Management
For many people, pain at the beginning of a gout attack (typically the first 24 hours) tends to be the worst.There are a number of home treatments and lifestyle adjustments that can help with mild pain.
Tactics you can try to relieve gout pain include:
Apply a cold compress:Place a cold compress or ice pack on your affected joint(s)to help relieve pain during a mild gout flare. Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel, taking care to never apply ice directly to your skin. Use the cold pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times per day.
Weight loss:Living with obesity increases your risk of developing gout.The extra weight also places more stress on affected joints and increases pain. If you live with obesity or overweight status, losing weight will help reduce uric acid levels to prevent future flares. A lower weight will also take pressure off your joints, reducing pain and inflammation when flares happen.
Dietary Interventions
Hyperuricemia can be linked to the foods we eat. Some foods contain high levels of an organic compound known as purine, which, when broken down, is converted into uric acid. Other foods contain substances that make it harder for your kidneys to eliminate uric acid efficiently.
Studies show that the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fiber, low in purine, and rich with antioxidants, can be particularly helpful for people with gout. Adhering to this diet can assist with weight loss and lead to reduced uric acid levels.
Other changes you can make to help avoid hyperuricemia include:
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Over-the-Counter Medication
For milder gout pain, an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such asTylenol(acetaminophen) can ease some pain. Aspirin should not be used because it increases uric acid and can worsen a flare.
Keep in mind that people withkidney diseaseshould avoid takingnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Advil (ibuprofen) and Bayer (aspirin).
Kidney disease and gout commonly occur together.That said, if you do not have kidney disease, it is okay to take an NSAID for your pain.Check with your healthcare provider about which OTC pain reliever is best for your condition.
For some people, dietary and lifestyle changes may provide adequate relief from gout pain. If making these changes doesn’t help or if there is evidence that joint damage is getting worse, prescription drugs may be needed.The prescription medications used to treat gout can be broadly broken down into two types: anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that reduce uric acid.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
The prescription anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used to treat gout are either prescribed on an ongoing basis or used when needed to ease acute symptoms.
Among the options:
Colchicine:This oral anti-inflammatory drug is used to prevent and treat acute gout attacks. Colchicine can be used on its own, but it is more commonly prescribed alongside a uric acid-reducing drug like allopurinol.Side effects of colchicine include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
Overusing any form of corticosteroid can lead to weight gain, easy bruising, osteoporosis, eye problems, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of infection.
Oral treatment (usually with the drug prednisone) may be prescribed over several days to weeks.Corticosteroid injectionsare most commonly used when only one or two joints are involved, or there is a need to avoid the systemic (body-wide) effects that oral corticosteroids cause.
Uric Acid-Reducing Drugs
If other interventions fail to reduce uric acid levels, healthcare providers will often turn to medications. These can either decrease uric acid production or increase how much is eliminated from the body.
The 2020 gout treatment guidance from the American College of Rheumatology recommends urate-lowering therapies as the first-line option in most patients who have gout.
Commonly prescribed urate-lowering therapies include:
Zyloprim (allopurinol):This drug is axanthine oxidase inhibitor(XOI), so it reduces the body’s uric acid production.The medication is taken once daily. It is typically recommended as a first-line treatment for most patients with gout.
Symptom flares can occur during early treatment, so the drug is often prescribed at lower doses and then gradually increased. In addition, allopurinol is typically given with colchicine to reduce the short-term risk of a gout attack.
Allopurinol side effects include stomach upset and rare, but often serious, skin reactions. Ask your prescribing provider if you are at risk for severe allopurinol reactions. Side effects are far less extensive than other uric acid-reducing drugs and may include rash and stomach upset. Stomach problems usually go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
Uloric (febuxostat):This is another XOI treatment option that reduces the body’s uric acid production.It is primarily prescribed to people who cannot tolerate allopurinol.
Taken daily, Uloric can reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. Flare-ups are common when first starting treatment. Even if they occur, you should continue to take the medication as prescribed.Common side effects include nausea, joint pain, and muscle aches. Do not take Uloric if you are using azathioprine (used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) or mercaptopurine (used to treat lymphoma, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis).
IL-1 inhibitors:This class of drugs is recommended for people in whom anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective, poorly tolerated, or contraindicated.IL-1 inhibitors include the medications anakinra andcanakinumab.
Other complementary drugs may be used in gout treatment, including Cozaar (losartan), an antihypertensive (blood pressure-lowering) drug, and Tricor (fenofibrate), alipid-lowering drug. Both can aid in reducing uric acid levels in the blood.
Tophaceous Gout: Everything You Need To Know
Summary
Treatment for gout involves managing pain and reducing uric acid levels in the blood to prevent flares. During a flare, OTC medications like Tylenol can reduce pain. NSAID pain relievers like Advil can be used if you don’t have chronic kidney disease.
A Word From Verywell
Given how painful gout flares can be, it makes sense to focus on pain relief as the flare occurs. That said, when you are in remission, your treatment shouldn’t stop. Remission is an important time for you to focus on making healthy lifestyle changes that reduce the frequency of flares. This can help you prevent complications like joint damage down the line.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOver-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen) may help relieve pain from a mild case of gout. However, prescription anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids are typically used to treat a gout attack.Your healthcare provider will also likely prescribe medication to lower uric acid levels.To treat an acute gout attack at home, try ice and elevation to relieve the pain. Apply an icepack or cold compress to the affected joint for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. Just be sure to keep a towel between your skin and the ice.Staying off your feet can also help to relieve the pain.Drinking lots of water is the best way to flush uric acid out of your system. During a gout attack, drinking 16 8-ounce glasses of water daily is recommended. To keep uric acid levels low to prevent attacks, stay hydrated with at least eight glasses of water a day.
Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen) may help relieve pain from a mild case of gout. However, prescription anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids are typically used to treat a gout attack.Your healthcare provider will also likely prescribe medication to lower uric acid levels.
Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen) may help relieve pain from a mild case of gout. However, prescription anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids are typically used to treat a gout attack.
Your healthcare provider will also likely prescribe medication to lower uric acid levels.
To treat an acute gout attack at home, try ice and elevation to relieve the pain. Apply an icepack or cold compress to the affected joint for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. Just be sure to keep a towel between your skin and the ice.Staying off your feet can also help to relieve the pain.
To treat an acute gout attack at home, try ice and elevation to relieve the pain. Apply an icepack or cold compress to the affected joint for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. Just be sure to keep a towel between your skin and the ice.
Staying off your feet can also help to relieve the pain.
Drinking lots of water is the best way to flush uric acid out of your system. During a gout attack, drinking 16 8-ounce glasses of water daily is recommended. To keep uric acid levels low to prevent attacks, stay hydrated with at least eight glasses of water a day.
16 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.Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Symptoms and diagnosis of gout.Arthritis Foundation.Managing a gout flare.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Nielsen S, Bartels E, Henriksen M, et al.Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Sep;76(1):1870-1882.Hong F, Zheng A, Xu P, et al.High-protein diet induces hyperuricemia in a new animal model for studying human gout.Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar;21(6):2147. doi:10.3390/ijms21062147Kakutani-Hatayama M, Kadoya M, Okazaki H, et al.Nonpharmacological management of gout and hyperuricemia: Hints for better lifestyle.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017 Aug;11(4):321-329. doi:10.1177/1559827615601973Arthritis Foundation.Which foods are safe for gout?Stamp L, Farquhar H, Pisaniello HL, et al.Management of gout in chronic kidney disease: A G-CAN consensus statement on the research priorities.Nature Rev Rheumatol. 2021 Jul;17(1):633-641. doi:10.1038/s41584-021-00657-4Harvard Health Medical School.All about gout.American College of Rheumatology.Gout.Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.All Asth Clin Immun. 2013 Aug;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Treatment of gout.FitzGerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-760.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Krystexxa.Safety guidelines.Arthritis Foundation.Gout diet: Dos and don’ts.
16 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.Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Symptoms and diagnosis of gout.Arthritis Foundation.Managing a gout flare.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Nielsen S, Bartels E, Henriksen M, et al.Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Sep;76(1):1870-1882.Hong F, Zheng A, Xu P, et al.High-protein diet induces hyperuricemia in a new animal model for studying human gout.Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar;21(6):2147. doi:10.3390/ijms21062147Kakutani-Hatayama M, Kadoya M, Okazaki H, et al.Nonpharmacological management of gout and hyperuricemia: Hints for better lifestyle.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017 Aug;11(4):321-329. doi:10.1177/1559827615601973Arthritis Foundation.Which foods are safe for gout?Stamp L, Farquhar H, Pisaniello HL, et al.Management of gout in chronic kidney disease: A G-CAN consensus statement on the research priorities.Nature Rev Rheumatol. 2021 Jul;17(1):633-641. doi:10.1038/s41584-021-00657-4Harvard Health Medical School.All about gout.American College of Rheumatology.Gout.Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.All Asth Clin Immun. 2013 Aug;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Treatment of gout.FitzGerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-760.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Krystexxa.Safety guidelines.Arthritis Foundation.Gout diet: Dos and don’ts.
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.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Symptoms and diagnosis of gout.Arthritis Foundation.Managing a gout flare.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Nielsen S, Bartels E, Henriksen M, et al.Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Sep;76(1):1870-1882.Hong F, Zheng A, Xu P, et al.High-protein diet induces hyperuricemia in a new animal model for studying human gout.Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar;21(6):2147. doi:10.3390/ijms21062147Kakutani-Hatayama M, Kadoya M, Okazaki H, et al.Nonpharmacological management of gout and hyperuricemia: Hints for better lifestyle.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017 Aug;11(4):321-329. doi:10.1177/1559827615601973Arthritis Foundation.Which foods are safe for gout?Stamp L, Farquhar H, Pisaniello HL, et al.Management of gout in chronic kidney disease: A G-CAN consensus statement on the research priorities.Nature Rev Rheumatol. 2021 Jul;17(1):633-641. doi:10.1038/s41584-021-00657-4Harvard Health Medical School.All about gout.American College of Rheumatology.Gout.Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.All Asth Clin Immun. 2013 Aug;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Treatment of gout.FitzGerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-760.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Krystexxa.Safety guidelines.Arthritis Foundation.Gout diet: Dos and don’ts.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Symptoms and diagnosis of gout.
Arthritis Foundation.Managing a gout flare.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.
Nielsen S, Bartels E, Henriksen M, et al.Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Sep;76(1):1870-1882.
Hong F, Zheng A, Xu P, et al.High-protein diet induces hyperuricemia in a new animal model for studying human gout.Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar;21(6):2147. doi:10.3390/ijms21062147
Kakutani-Hatayama M, Kadoya M, Okazaki H, et al.Nonpharmacological management of gout and hyperuricemia: Hints for better lifestyle.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017 Aug;11(4):321-329. doi:10.1177/1559827615601973
Arthritis Foundation.Which foods are safe for gout?
Stamp L, Farquhar H, Pisaniello HL, et al.Management of gout in chronic kidney disease: A G-CAN consensus statement on the research priorities.Nature Rev Rheumatol. 2021 Jul;17(1):633-641. doi:10.1038/s41584-021-00657-4
Harvard Health Medical School.All about gout.
American College of Rheumatology.Gout.
Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.All Asth Clin Immun. 2013 Aug;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Treatment of gout.
FitzGerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-760.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Krystexxa.Safety guidelines.
Arthritis Foundation.Gout diet: Dos and don’ts.
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