Gout
5 medicines
Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints, most often the big toe, treated with anti-inflammatories and urate-lowering medicine.
Colchicum autumnale
Colchicine
0.5mg
Colchicum autumnale is a painkillers medication containing Colchicine, available as 0.5mg tablets.
Key facts
- Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops when uric acid builds up in the blood and crystallises in the joints.
- Attacks arrive suddenly, often overnight, with intense heat, swelling and pain; the big toe is the classic site, though ankles, knees and wrists are also common.
- Acute attacks are managed with anti-inflammatories such as colchicine; long-term control uses urate-lowering medicine such as allopurinol, febuxostat or probenecid.
- A first attack should be checked by a doctor to rule out septic arthritis, a medical emergency with overlapping symptoms.
What triggers a gout attack
Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines, compounds found naturally in the body and concentrated in red meat, shellfish and alcohol (especially beer). Fructose from soft drinks raises uric acid independently of purines. The kidneys clear most uric acid, so anything that impairs kidney function, including dehydration and certain medicines, can tip levels high enough to cause crystal formation. Obesity and metabolic syndrome are additional risk factors, and gout frequently clusters with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Managing gout: stopping attacks and lowering urate
Acute attacks are typically managed with anti-inflammatory medicines. Pain-management options include colchicine, which works by reducing the inflammatory response to uric acid crystals rather than lowering uric acid itself.
Long-term treatment focuses on keeping blood uric acid below the crystallisation threshold, usually below 360 micromol/L. Allopurinol is the most widely used urate-lowering medicine and is taken daily as a preventive rather than for acute relief. Febuxostat is an alternative for people who don't tolerate allopurinol, and probenecid works differently, increasing uric acid excretion through the kidneys.
Dietary changes support drug therapy but rarely replace it in established gout: cutting high-purine foods, limiting alcohol, staying well hydrated, and losing weight where relevant can all reduce attack frequency.
When to get help
A first attack of joint swelling, redness and severe pain should be assessed by a doctor to confirm it is gout and not septic arthritis, which is a medical emergency with overlapping symptoms. Same-day medical care is needed during a very severe attack, or if a joint becomes infected.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.