Saturday, July 20, 2013

should i start on a course of colchicine to treat my gout?

Q. the side effects sound horrendous!

A. The first treatment should be pain relief. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the drugs of choice are Indometacin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or intra-articular glucocorticoids, administered via a joint injection.

Colchicine was previously the drug of choice in acute attacks of gout. It impairs the motility of granulocytes and can prevent the inflammatory phenomena that initiate an attack of gout. Colchicine should be taken within the first 12 hours of the attack and usually relieves the pain within 48 hours. Its main side-effects (gastrointestinal upset) can complicate its use. NSAIDs are the preferred form of analgesia for patients with gout.

Before medical help is available, some over the counter medication can provide temporary relief to the pain and swelling. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can reduce the pain and inflammation slightly, although aspirin should not be used as it can worsen the condition. Preparation H hemorrhoidal ointment can be applied to the swollen skin to reduce the swelling temporarily. Professional medical care is needed for long term management of gout.

Gout - Can I take Co-dydramol pain killers at the same time as I am taking prednisone?
Q. I am taking a short course (40mg tabs - 1 a dayfor 7 days)) of predisone to treat a flare up of gout in my foot. The inflamation is my foot is subsiding butI am I am still in great pain. Therefore, can I also take Co-Dydramol painkillers while taking prednisone?

A. Phone your local Chemist, they will look it up and tell you.




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