Traditional Gout Medications

Most commonly prescribed Gout medication options include:

Xanthine Inhibitors: These actually block the enzyme, (xanthine oxidase) necessary for the conversion of purines to uric acid. As of result, blood serum levels are lowered and used to prevent chronic gout, stones, and hyperuricemia. It is not actually a treatment for an acute attack, and can even exacerbate an attack if used while it’s running its course. This treatment sounds good in theory, however, un-naturally stopping a very natural and necessary production such as uric acid must take its toll on the body somehow? After all, uric acid is a potent antioxidant vital to the human body. Attempting to halt its production could be detrimental to its important role as the protector of our DNA. As a result, it is necessary to monitor the liver, kidneys, and blood during its use.

Possible side effects include:

• peripheral neuritis
• alopecia
• swelling
• pain in urination
• hypertension
• taste disturbances
• nausea, vomiting
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• headache
• drowsiness
• vertigo

Possible serious side effects include:

• anemia
• other blood or bone marrow disorders that may produce fatigue, bleeding, or bruising
• yellowish tinge to eyes or skin (signs of hepatitis or liver damage)
• severe skin reactions (rashes, skin ulcers, hives, intense itching)
• chest tightness
• weakness

NSAID Alternatives: Alternatives to NSAIDS treating the inflammation caused by an attack. It can actually suspend cell division, yet another necessary and naturally occurring action in the body being halted by a drug. Colchicine should be avoided by children and pregnant women due to the risks involved. This drug can cause serious side effects and toxicity and even death in high doses. 80% of people who take Colchicine in doses that are high enough to be effective develop stomach problems such as cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. Serious side effects of colchicine include bone marrow problems, muscle inflammation, severe anemia, and extremely low white blood counts that can increase the risk of infection developing. Colchicine is usually avoided or the dose adjusted in people who have reduced kidney function.

NSAIDS: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are used to reduce the inflammation, pain, and fever caused by a gouty infection. The body’s natural mechanism to fight infection is directly associated with these types of reactions and is the way you know your body is doing what it is supposed to do. Suppressing these natural and necessary body responses can certainly take a toll on the body in the long run. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, rash, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. They may also cause fluid retention leading to edema. The most serious side effects are kidney failure, liver failure, ulcers and prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery. NSAID’s may have significant toxicity, but if used for the SHORT TERM they can be generally well tolerated.

Steroids: These drugs alter the way the immune system works and actually takes control of the adrenal gland to stop the natural production of steroids in the body. Steroids have helped by reducing the red, painful inflammation associated with a gout attack, but at what cost to your health in general? Prednisone suppresses the immune system and can result in a host of unwanted side effects including: headache, dizziness, extreme mood swings, bulging eyes, acne, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, weight alterations, thin fragile skin, weak muscles, heartburn, decreased sex drive, sweating, slow healing of cuts and bruises, vision problems, eye pain, sore throat, seizures, depression, confusion, loss of contact with reality, muscle twitching, shaking, numbness, swelling, upset stomach, vomiting, hacking cough, irregular heartbeat, rash, hives, itching, shortness of breath, swelling or pain in the stomach, shortness of breath. Enough said!

We have all found ourselves time and time again at the mercy of such prescription medications due to the necessity for immediate symptom relief. In theory, the above medications answer that need. However, continuing to ignore the real issue and root cause will inevitably wind up backfiring on you, your body, and your health. Gout is a strong warning sign of body malfunction, acidity, and toxicity – not to be overlooked or covered up. There are alternatives and even lifestyle adjustments that can certainly go a long way towards recovery and prevention. There are safe, effective and natural approaches to your relief quest and ways to nurse your body back to health.  Some use both traditional medications and all natural formulas together.  However, many wish to eliminate the prescription drugs and their side effects, all together. 

Many enjoy working with their physicians to wean from these medications slowly and allow the body to adjust naturally.  They simply reduce the amount they take slowly and/or spread the hours apart in which the medication is consumed, while beginning the all natural herbal route simultaneously. If this is something you desire, be sure to discuss options with your physician if you are currently on prescription drugs for your Gout, Arthritis, or any inflammatory related condition.