The management of gout

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that is increasing in prevalence. It is caused by the deposition of urate crystals. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine and corticosteroids are options for the management of acute gout. They are equally efficacious and comorbidities guide the best choice. Allopurinol is an effective treatment for reducing concentrations of uric acid. Renal function guides the starting dose of allopurinol and the baseline serum uric acid concentration guides the maintenance dose. Febuxostat is another xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It is clinically equivalent to allopurinol. Uricosuric drugs, such as probenecid, increase uric acid excretion. New drugs in this class will soon become available and are likely to have a role in the treatment of patients who do not respond to other drugs.