Drugs Used to Treat Gout
Drug | Some Side Effects | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | ||
All NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) | Upset stomach Bleeding Decreased kidney function High potassium levels Retention of sodium, potassium (rarely), and water Sometimes swelling or high blood pressure | Used to treat an acute flare (sudden attack) or to prevent a flare Should be avoided in people with kidney disease or in those taking blood thinners |
Antigout drugs | ||
Colchicine | Upset stomach and diarrhea Suppression of blood cell production in the bone marrow (occurs very rarely if the drug is used properly) Muscle pain and weakness (uncommon) Interaction with many other drugs, sometimes causing severe side effects | Used to prevent and treat flares Should be avoided or dose reduced with kidney disease |
Corticosteroids | ||
Prednisone (taken by mouth) | Retention of sodium, with swelling or high blood pressure Elevated blood sugar Multiple side effects if used long-term | Used to treat acute flares |
Prednisolone tebutate or triamcinolone hexacetonide (taken by injection) | Pain Discomfort Infection (rarely) | Injected into the joint if only one or two joints are affected |
Uricosuric drugs (drugs that increase uric acid secretion in the urine) | ||
Probenecid | Rash (rare) Nausea (rare) Vomiting (rare) Kidney stones | Can be used long-term to lower blood levels of uric acid to prevent flares |
Drugs that block uric acid production | ||
Allopurinol | Upset stomach Rash (which can rarely be very serious) Decrease in the number of white blood cells (rare) Liver damage (rare) | Can be used long-term to lower blood levels of uric acid to prevent flares and to remove crystals in the body or stones in the kidneys |
Febuxostat | Nausea Rash | Especially useful in people who cannot take allopurinol or in people whose blood uric acid is not sufficiently lowered by high doses of allopurinol |
Pegloticase | High risk of mobilization flare-up (particularly when used for the first time) Allergic reactions with IV infusions | Used to dissolve deposits of uric acid rapidly in people who have had severe gout for several months |