If you are diagnosed with gout, your doctor may recommend a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies to relieve its symptoms. It is important for people suffering from this condition to take gout treatment, as this condition has the potential to result in several complications including permanent joint damage and kidney failure. Therefore, see your doctor if you experience the symptoms of this condition including severe joint pain (that commonly strikes at night), inflammation, swelling, etc.
Even though the symptoms of gout might be similar to the health issues caused by some other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, there can be some distinct signs that may be helpful for you to identify this condition. Gout commonly affects your big toe, but it can impact other joints too. Additionally, the symptoms of gout including excruciating pain usually strike suddenly during the middle of sleep. If you experience such problems, then make sure to get medical help as soon as possible.
Different medications can be prescribed by your doctor to prevent the progress of this condition. Some of them are:
Gout Medications
Gout medications usually aim to control the symptoms and reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood. Some of the common medications that can be prescribed for this condition are:
NSAIDs: These drugs can help with alleviating the pain, inflammation, and swelling caused by gout. Some commonly prescribed NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, celecoxib, etc.
Some NSAIDs might cause side effects including stomach pain, ulcers, and bleeding.
Colchicine: It can be useful to treat the pain and inflammation caused by gout. But colchicine drugs come with the risk of some health issues including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Corticosteroids: These medications are also used for the purpose of controlling gout pain and inflammation. They are available in the form of pills and injections. Side effects of these medications include mood changes, elevated blood pressure, and increased blood sugar.
In addition to medications used for relieving the gout symptoms, medications that can control the progress of this condition can also be prescribed for gout patients. Some of them are:
Medications That Block The Production Of Uric Acid: Allopurinol and febuxostat are some medications that can be useful to reduce the production of uric acid by the body.
Medications That Boost The Elimination Of Uric Acid: Some drugs like probenecid can improve the ability of your kidneys to get rid of uric acid from the body.
When taking drugs for treating gout, make sure to ask the doctor about the health risks associated with them. You should also inform your doctor about the other health conditions and medications you have.
