NSAIDs To Treat Gout Inflammation

NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is one of the drugs prescribed for people who have gout. When you experience a flare, this will be one of the first things to reach for because it helps reduce pain and inflammation within 48 hours.0 But NSAIDs aren’t just for gout. It’s been used to treat various kinds of pains and diseases since 1763.

It is used to relieve pain caused by a number of conditions such as:

● arthritis

● backache — particularly long-term pain in the lower back

● cold or flu

● headaches

● period pains

● joint or bone injuries, sprains, and strains

● muscle or joint complaints

● toothache

The most common ones are aspirin and ibuprofen. Aspirin is often taken in low doses to prevent a heart attack or stroke. It can even reduce one’s risk for certain types of colorectal cancer.

For gout sufferers, you will often be prescribed any of the following NSAIDs:

● Diclofenac (brand name Voltarol)

● Indometacin (usually the first choice of physicians)

● Etoricoxib (brand name Arcoxia)

● Ibuprofen (you can buy this in pharmacies under brand name Advil, Motrin)

● Ketoprofen ( brand names Orudis, Oruvail)

● Naproxen ( brand names Naprosyn, Arthoxen)

● Etodolac (brand name Lodine)

● Fenoprofen (brand name Nalfon)

● Tolmetin (brand name Tolectin)

● Nabumetone (brand name Relafen)

● Meloxicam (brand name Mobic)

● Sulindac (brand name Clinoril)

Certain NSAIDs can be purchased over the counter but these are the low dose ones. If you need a higher dose, you will need a prescription from your doctor. Higher dose NSAIDs tend to have side effects which is why a prescription is needed.

You cannot take aspirin for treating gout pain since it has been found to elevate uric acid in the blood. If you’re unable to take NSAIDs, your doctor might prescribe you Corticosteroids or Prednisone.

If you are one of those people, you don’t have to worry since corticosteroids work just as well as NSAIDs when it comes to pain relief.

For gout specifically, you will be prescribed colchicine since this prevents uric acid from forming into crystals. As soon as the gout flare occurs, colchicine is taken immediately to reduce the pain and swelling. Unlike NSAIDs, colchicine can be taken daily for prevention, however, this should be done at the advice of your doctor.

There is no evidence whether NSAIDs or colchicine is the best treatment for gout pain. So what you get prescribed for will really depend on your situation. Your doctor will factor in how severe your condition is, what other illnesses you have, as well as what other medications you are taking.

How Do NSAIDs Work?

NSAIDs block the chemicals in the body that’s associated with pain and inflammation. When you take NSAIDs for a gout attack, the pain usually subsides within an hour. Depending on how bad the pain of the affected joint is, you may be advised by your doctor to combine two types of NSAIDs such as naproxen and steroid prednisolone.

It’s important to remember that NSAIDs do not treat gout. It simply relieves the gout sufferer of the pain. To get long-term relief from gout pain, the patient has to do more than just take preventative and pain relieving medication. He has to make several lifestyle changes such as:

● Drinking plenty of water; 8 to 12 glasses a day

● Lose excess weight

● Doing physical activity to strengthen the joints

● Limit high purine foods especially those that come from meat

● Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

● Consume low-fat dairy in the form of milk, yogurt, and cheese

● Avoid drinking any kind of alcohol, especially beer

● Taking cherry supplements

● Perform home remedies such as a drinking apple cider, baking soda water mix, epsom salt soak, etc.

These are a lot of changes but you don’t have to do them all at once. You can make them gradually. Over time, your gout episodes will lessen and there will be no need for you to be dependent on NSAIDs.

NSAIDs Dosage

NSAIDs should only be taken for a maximum of 10 days if you have gout. If you plan to take it longer, tell your doctor so they can monitor you. Chronic gout pain might tempt you to take NSAIDs for a longer period. However, this should be avoided since long-term use of the drug can increase your risk for peptic ulcers, renal failure, stroke, and heart disease. You are better off asking for a more effective uric acid-lowering drug since this can help decrease your gout episodes, thus removing your reliance on NSAIDs for pain relief.

You shouldn’t mix NSAIDs with other NSAIDs except for low dose aspirin.

NSAIDs Side Effects

NSAIDs have their own set of side effects just like other drugs. This includes:

● Stomach ache

● Heartburn

● Gas

● Diarrhea

● Nausea

● Vomiting

● Increased blood pressure

● Heart attack and stroke

● Kidney problems

● Allergic reactions

● Dizziness

● Trouble focusing

● Balance problems

● Bruising

● Bleeding

While these side effects don’t happen for most people, certain individuals may be at more risk for experiencing them. For instance, older people and those who suffer chronic illnesses such as kidney damage are at more risk.

Other lifestyle factors can affect your risk too. If you don’t take any food with your NSAIDs, you might experience a stomach ache. If you drink alcohol while taking NSAIDs, you’re at risk for internal bleeding. If you have another condition aside from gout, that affects your heart, liver, or kidneys, tell your doctor so they can prescribe you a more suitable NSAID drug.

Side effects usually happen during the first weeks of taking NSAIDs, and it increases the longer you take it. If you take NSAIDs at a higher dose, you are also at more risk. To avoid this, the doctor will usually prescribe a lower dose or advise that they take an additional medicine to prevent the side effect.

If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above or it makes your gout worse rather than relieve the pain, call your doctor immediately.

What NSAIDs do you take during a gout attack? Do you notice any difference in their efficacy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.