Warning: Could Your Gout Medication Actually Be Harmful to You?
Is your gout medication really safe? While its always a good idea to visit a doctor if you have gout, you should be aware of any side effects or potential problems you may experience from prescription gout medication.
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are developed solely for reducing inflammation and are taken orally. The most commonly prescribed are indomethacin and naproxen. While doing a good job of getting rid of the inflammation they do not treat the underlying cause of gout, which is the build up of uric acid in the system and the crystals if forms in the joints.
Also, while this is the most commonly prescribed form of gout medication there is a limit to how much pain can be reduced with NSAIDs and no matter how much more you take it won’t reduce any more pain. This could lead to an overdose if you keep taking them in hopes of relieving the pain once the limit is reached. Overdose symptoms include mild to moderate pain, fever, inflammation and stiffness.
Corticosteriods
Taken either orally or injected, corticosteriods are anti-inflammation hormones that can usually clear up a case of gout within a week. Prednisone is the most commonly used corticosteroid for gout. The drawbacks for this particular drug is that it decreases the ability to fight off infections and to heal open wounds. Not only that, corticosteriods can even cause bone thinning, making them a poor choice for ongoing gout management.
Colchicines
When NSAIDs or Corticosteroids are ineffective or not an option, colchicines are often used. This is the most potent form of gout medication and usually works best if taken within 12 hours of an onset of gout. As with most powerful drugs it can also have powerful side effects such as abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.