Which medication is used to treat acute gout attacks?

Which medication is used to treat acute gout attacks?

• A. Colchicine
• B. Allopurinol
• C. Alendronate
• D. Amoxicillin

Answer: (A)

Acute gout attacks are driven by inflammation from urate crystals in the joint, so the treatment goal is rapid relief of pain and swelling. Colchicine works specifically to blunt the inflammatory response, especially when taken early in an attack. It inhibits neutrophil function and movement, which reduces their attack on the crystal debris and cuts down on swelling and pain. Because of this mechanism, colchicine is a first-line option for acute gout. In contrast, allopurinol lowers uric acid levels over time to prevent future attacks; it’s used for long-term management and is not appropriate to start during an acute flare because it can worsen symptoms. Alendronate is a bone-density medication, not used for gout. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic and has no role in treating gout. So the medication that best treats an acute gout attack is colchicine.

Acute gout attacks are driven by inflammation from urate crystals in the joint, so the treatment goal is rapid relief of pain and swelling. Colchicine works specifically to blunt the inflammatory response, especially when taken early in an attack. It inhibits neutrophil function and movement, which reduces their attack on the crystal debris and cuts down on swelling and pain. Because of this mechanism, colchicine is a first-line option for acute gout.

In contrast, allopurinol lowers uric acid levels over time to prevent future attacks; it’s used for long-term management and is not appropriate to start during an acute flare because it can worsen symptoms. Alendronate is a bone-density medication, not used for gout. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic and has no role in treating gout.

So the medication that best treats an acute gout attack is colchicine.