Treatment:

Chronic gouty arthritis is treated with drugs that help reduce uric acid levels. Medicines used to treat gout include:

• Allopurinol (the most commonly used)
• Probenecid
• Sulfinpyrazone

Patients should drink plenty of water or other fluids to reduce the risk of kidney complications.

Colchicine can be added to prevent further acute attacks. This drug can be stopped when uric acid levels are stable (usually after 3 months), but it can also be continued at low doses to help prevent further attacks.

Support Groups:

See: Arthritis resources

Expectations (prognosis):

Symptoms are generally worse in people who develop the disease before age 30.

Complications:

• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure
• Joint deformities
• Loss of mobility (patient becomes bedridden), rare

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of chronic gouty arthritis develop.