Gout is a painful condition caused by the buildup of uric acid in your joints. It typically affects your big toe or your heel, but it can affect virtually any joint in your body. The excess of uric acid can cause crystals to form that can produce a sudden attack of gout. It is a very painful condition that makes it hard to walk if it is in your feet. Often, gout can be controlled by diet, but there are several medications available to treat it.
Allopurinol
Allopurinol is marketed as Zyloprim in the United States. It works to decrease the amount of uric acid your body produces. When taken regularly, it can prevent acute gout attacks in most people. It also can help in the treatment of kidney stones. It is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Allopurinol does not generally help if you are in the middle of an acute gout attack. Common side effects from allopurinol are nausea and diarrhea, but they are not serious and should go away as you continue taking the drug.
Colchicine
Colcrys and Colsalide are brand names of colchicine. This medication, the Mayo Clinic states, can be used both to prevent an acute gout attack and as treatment during an attack. Your doctor may prescribe this medication to be taken daily in small doses to help keep uric acid from building up and crystallizing in your joints. When you are having an attack of gout, you may take larger doses to counteract the attack. The Mayo Clinic notes 1.8 milligrams of colchicine during the first hour of an attack. Drugs.com states common side effects of colchicine include vomiting and nausea, pain in your stomach, diarrhea, loss of hair, headaches and dizziness.
Indomethacin
Sold as Indocin, indomethacin is used generally to treat the pain and inflammation of a gout attack. It is an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug also used to treat other forms of arthritis. It typically is administered in three doses per day of 50 milligrams each during a gout attack. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, headaches, constipation and heartburn, according to Drugs.com.
Febuxostat
Febuxostat, sold as Uloric, is a newer treatment medication for gout. Like allopurinol, it is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that lowers the uric acid levels in your body. This helps prevent acute gout attacks. According to RxList.com, problems with liver function and nausea are the most common side effects of the drug.
