What To Take For Gout Over The Counter

Treatment To Reduce Pain And Swelling

Gout is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen.

If the gout does not improve after 3 to 4 days, you might be given steroids as tablets or an injection.

You should:

• take any medicine youve been prescribed as soon as possible, it should start to work within 3 days
• rest and raise the affected limb
• keep the joint cool apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes at a time
• drink lots of water, unless advised not to by your GP
• try to keep bedclothes off the affected joint at night

Do not knock the joint or put pressure on it.

The Pros And Cons Of Cbd Oil For Gout

The Pros

• Animal and human studies have reported the benefits of CBD in treating symptoms of gout.
• CBD is safe for use because it has an excellent safety profile.
• CBD is non-addictive. Thus, gout patients may not have to worry about developing a dependence on it.

The Cons

• While there are studies on CBDs potential in alleviating gout symptoms, research on CBDs effectiveness in treating gout itself is lacking.
• The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved CBD use aside from the treatment of epilepsy.
• There is no standard dosage for CBD when used for the treatment of gout.
• CBD products are unregulated, resulting in a proliferation of mislabeled CBD products online.

What If I Forget To Take It

If you forget to take your colchicine, take it as soon as you remember. Unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In which case, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.

Never have 2 doses at the same time. Never have an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines.

Also Check: Are Almonds Bad For Gout

Fish Oil Supplements For Gout

Fish oil derived from fish contains omega-3 fatty acids. Your body has to rely on omega-3 fatty acids for proper functioning-

• Alpha-linoleic acid
• Docosahexaenoic acid
• Eicosapentaenoic acid

The best fish oil has DHA and EPA. Fatty acids are essential to maintain the function of your brain and immune system.

Most importantly, there must be a proper ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Unsaturated fat has the potential to prevent inflammation problems in your body. However, do not take a high amount of fatty acids. Consumption of fish oil helps in fighting against inflammation. That is why you can decrease the swelling, pain, redness, and potential joint damage caused by gout.

The meat of the fish contains purines. However, the molecularly distilled fish oil does not have a high amount of purines. You can safely purchase pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements. Make sure that the supplement is molecularly distilled. But, it may not be safe for those having bleeding disorders.

Suggested article: Fish Oil and Gout â Can Fish Oil Cause Gout Attack?

Is Medication Necessary For Gout

Depending on the severity of pain, frequency of attacks and the severity of your attack, medication may be a good option. If it is an acute gout attack, simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help prevent a future flare up. Itâs a good idea to see a doctor to gain an understanding on your uric acid levels and to see if there are any other conditions that are contributing to your gout.

Don’t Miss: Allopurinol Side Effects Alcohol

Acute Gout Flares: What Else You Can Do

While your prescription gout medication should quickly treat your joint pain, swelling and redness, there are things you can do on your own in addition to taking your medicine:

Ice it. Treat your swollen joint with topical ice for a short period of time if you need a little extra relief. Ice can ease pain and swelling. Wrap ice or an ice pack in a soft towel or cloth before placing it on your skin. Dont place ice directly onto your joint, even if its inside a plastic bag.

Elevate it. If your big toe or foot is affected, prop it up on pillows while you rest on the sofa. Keep your joint elevated above the level of your heart for the best effect.

Give it a rest. Its OK to take it easy for a day or two while your symptoms are at their worst. Rest if you can. Try not to use your affected joint until your medications can reduce the inflammation. Gout flares often get worse if you try to ignore them and stress your affected joint.

How To Get Rid Of Gout Fast

Gout is a painful type of arthritis that feels similar to the pain experienced with rheumatoid arthritis, as both diseases cause inflammation in the joints.

Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood.

When the body cannot get rid of the excess uric acid, that buildup ends up accumulating as crystals in a joint, such as the big toe.

This creates swelling, redness, warmth, and severe joint pain in the affected area.

This condition has historically been seen as a disease that only affects old, wealthy men.

About 4% of Americansmore than 8 million peoplesuffer from gout.

Since gout can be caused by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, anyone can get gouteven if they eat what would typically be deemed a healthy diet.

Attacks and flare-ups of the condition can be painful.

While there is no cure for gout, there are things you can do to get relief from the pain and inflammation.

In this article, Ill talk about ways to get fast relief from a gout attack, treatment options for these flare-ups, and warning signs that an attack may be coming.

Ill also tell you when its best to talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider about gout symptoms.

Don’t Miss: Are Onions High In Purines

Medications Used For Treating Gout Flares

Gout Symptoms

Gout attacks, or gout flares, usually occur when there is an excess build-up of uric acid in your blood. When the human body breaks down purines, it leads to the formation of uric acid. The level of uric acid in your body becomes harmful when your kidney is not able to remove it from your body through urine. When the uric acid level increases, it may lead to gout. This inflammatory disease mainly affects your joints, causing severe pain, inflammation, and swelling.

Doctors prescribe several medications to prevent gout flare-ups. You should note that these medications cannot cure gout but can alleviate gout symptoms. In this article, we will take a look at some of the short-term and long-term gout medications.

Celery Or Celery Seeds

Celery is a food traditionally used to treat urinary issues. For gout, extract and seeds of the vegetable have become popular home remedies.

Experimental use is well-documented, though scientific research is scant. Its thought that celery may reduce inflammation.

Adequate celery amounts for treating gout arent documented. Try eating celery many times per day, especially raw celery sticks, juice, extract, or seeds.

If purchasing an extract or supplement, follow label directions closely.

Recommended Reading: Almond Milk Gout

Natural Remedies For Gout

Studies show that many of the dietary items we consume lead to gout as well as other health problems. Changing your diet and lifestyle may be the easy solution to beating gout. One of the first things to do is eliminate certain foods and beverages from your diet to beat gout.

Now here are my top six all-natural gout remedies to get rid of gout for good. If you follow these tips, you can get rid of gout in 24 hours or less. Yes, that fast, you can get rid of gout pain for good.

1. Celery Seed Extract

Step No. 1 is to consume celery seed extract and celery juice. Celery seed extract actually has been shown to decrease uric acid buildup in the body.

Researchers have identified over a dozen different types of antioxidants that are responsible for the benefits of celery these include such phenolic acids as caffeic acid and ferulic acid, plus flavaols like quecetin. This makes celery useful for treating a wide range of conditions that are made worse by inflammation: joint pain , gout, kidney and liver infections, skin disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and urinary tract infections, just to name a few.

You can buy the supplement or celery seed extract. You can also use a vegetable juicer to produce celery juice or just eat celery throughout the day all of which are great for getting rid of gout.

2. Black Cherry Juice

3. Nettles

4. Fish Oil

5. Proteolytic Enzymes

6. Magnesium

When To Get Help For A Gout Flare

It’s always a good idea to let your doctor know that you are having a flare. Sometimes, you may need to follow up to make sure your treatment plan is working or if your symptoms don’t improve. Call your doctor if:

This is your first flare-up. There are several other conditions, such as a joint infection, that have some of the same symptoms as gout attacks.

You have a highfever and chills. Gout attack symptoms may include a mild fever, but a higher temperature may be a sign of an infection.

Your symptoms don’t get any better after 48 hours or don’t end after about a week. If you don’t start to feel somewhat better after a few days, call your doctor. They may suggest a different treatment. Most gout attacks will go away by themselves in several weeks, even without treatment.

Show Sources

Rebecca Manno, MD, MHS, assistant professor of medicine, division of rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Robert T. Keenan, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine, division of rheumatology and immunology, Duke University School of Medicine.

Scott Zashin, MD, clinical professor of medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School attending physician, Presbyterian Hospital.

Lan Chen, MD, PhD, attending rheumatologist, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Gout and Pseudogout Treatment & Management: “Treatment.”

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center: “Gout — Treatments for Gout.”

Merck Manual: “Gout.”

Don’t Miss: Black Cherry Juice For Gout Cvs

What Is Best Over

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Treatment Of A Gout Attack

Australian guidelines recommend treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for an attack of gout. These work to reduce inflammation and pain. Examples include indomethacin , naproxen sodium and etoricoxib .

If NSAIDs cant be tolerated or the person has a history of ulcers then they may try:

• Colchicine .
• Corticosteroids given by mouth or injected into the joint.

Resting the joint and applying ice packs may also help with pain and inflammation. When the affected joint is a big toe, a box or cage to keep the bedclothes off the toe may be helpful.

Also Check: How Many Cherries Should I Eat For Gout

When To See A Doctor

For many people, gout is a progressive disease. So you may start to notice more frequent flare-ups or more intense symptoms.

If you do, thats a good reason to call your doctor. Left untreated, gout attacks can eventually cause permanent damage to your joints.

Experiencing unpleasant or unusual side effects or not tolerating the side effects of the medicine youre taking are other good reasons to make an appointment with your doctor.

If you want to switch medications, try a new one, or add in a supplement, discuss that with your doctor too.

Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Gout Attacks

Preventing acute gout attacks is just as important as gout relief. Prevention of gout generally involves:

• Fluid: Maintaining an adequate fluid intake to promote the excretion of uric acid.
• Losing weight if overweight or obese.
• Exercise: Doing regular exercise.
• Limit alcohol: Reducing alcohol intake and avoiding binge drinking.

A simple change to the types of foods that you eat can help reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Find out which foods are best avoided or eaten in moderation, and other dietary changes that can help prevent gout.

Read Also: Gout And Almonds

What Medication To Avoid With Gout

It is best to discuss with your doctor the medications that should not be taken with gout. An over-the-counter medication to avoid is aspirin as it can exacerbate your gout attack and increase uric acid levels. Other medications such as those that treat high blood pressure, heart failure or diuretics can interact negatively with gout and gout medications. Speak to your doctor about other concerns.

Try Natural Remedies For Gout

There are some nutrients that could be helpful.

• Proanthocyanidins can help neutralise uric acid and reduce inflammation
• Quercetin can reduce uric acid and may also provide relief
• Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation, so add a supplement if youre also cutting out certain seafoods that are rich in purines
• Heard about cherry juice for gout? Its proposed that tart cherry juice could temporarily lower blood uric acid levels, but more research is required to fully understand this link5

Don’t Miss: Onion And Gout

Who Can And Can’t Take Colchicine

Colchicine can be taken by most adults aged 18 and over.

It can sometimes be prescribed for children by a specialist doctor.

Colchicine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to colchicine or any other medicines
• have a severe blood disorder
• have severe kidney or liver problems
• have problems with your heart or digestive system
• are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are trying for a baby

Women who could become pregnant will usually only be prescribed colchicine if they are using suitable contraception.

Natural Medications For Gout

Natural gout treatments such as Urcinol, Goutwell, Uricinex, Goutrex, Gout Care, Puricil and burdock do not require a prescription and are generally considered safe with no or minimal side effects.

Urcinol, a natural herbal based supplement helps to reduce pain and reduces uric acid levels.

Goutwell is an herbal supplement that optimizes uric acid metabolism, reduces pain and inflammation and improves blood circulation.

Uricinex addresses redness and swelling of the effected joint while balancing uric acid levels.

Goutrex is an all natural supplement used in treating high uric acid levels, while reducing pain and swelling.

Gout Care is a natural herb blend that controls over production of uric acid so as to ward off future attacks of gout.

Puricil is a botanical blend of all natural ingredients that work to relieve stiffness, inflammation, swelling and intense pain associated with gout, while keeping future attacks at a minimum. Puricil stimulates digestion, breaks down foods and also eliminates uric acid and other potent toxins.

Burdock root powder helps to remove toxins through sweat glands. It is used for arthritic conditions to reduce joint swelling.

You May Like: Gout In Heel Pictures

Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Colchicine is used to prevent gout attacks in adults. Colchicine is also used to relieve the pain of gout attacks when they occur. Colchicine is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever in adults and children 4 years of age and older. Colchicine is not a pain reliever and cannot be used to treat pain that is not caused by gout or FMF. Colchicine is in a class of medications called anti-gout agents. It works by stopping the natural processes that cause swelling and other symptoms of gout and FMF.

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

You May Like: Is Onion Good For Gout

Important Information About All Medicines

How To Get Fast Relief From Gout Attacks

Gout pain can be debilitating, and can prevent you from performing routine activitieseven walking or standing can hurt.

Thats because many attacks start at the base of the big toe.

Pain and inflammation in this region can make walking or standing for long periods of time excruciating.

There are a few home remedies that may provide quick relief for a gout flare-up.

But if your pain is severe, sudden, or worsening, contact a healthcare professional before attempting any remedies at home.

You May Like: Is Onion Good For Gout

Don’t Miss: Almond And Gout