Best and Worst Foods and Drinks for Adults with Gout

By: | | Topics : Gout Flare Prevention, Gout Symptoms, Lifestyle Tips for Gout,

What you eat and drink can affect gout

People affected by gout actually have a lot of power over the course of their disease. That’s because what a person chooses to eat and drink can have a direct effect on gout symptoms.1

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints and other areas of the body and surrounding tissues. Adults with gout suffer from episodes of pain, redness, swelling and/or extreme tenderness in one or more joints, most commonly the big toe.1

 

What you eat and drink can affect gout

Humans have suffered with gout since ancient times. Before the rise of modern medicine, it was believed that gout was a disease of the wealthy. This is because only they could afford to eat a lot of purine-rich foods, such as meat, seafood and alcohol.2 Purines are chemical compounds found in some foods and drinks that the body breaks down into uric acid. Generally, people can process the uric acid that results from purine-rich foods. In people with gout, however, consuming foods and drinks with too many purines can pose a great problem.1

There is no set diet regimen for gout, but adults with gout are encouraged to eat healthfully.3 To help prevent gout flares, foods and beverages containing a lot of purines should be avoided.3 These include:3

  • Beer and grain liquors
  • Red meat, lamb and pork
  • Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys and sweetbreads
  • Seafood, especially shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster and mussels), anchovies and sardines

In place of these, choose lower-purine foods, such as:3

  • Low-fat or non-fat dairy products
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Fresh fruit
  • Nuts
  • Grains

Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages, which can increase the prevalence of gout flares.4 Abstaining from alcohol is also important for two reasons. First, because alcohol provides additional purines, strengthening the body’s production of uric acid, and second, because alcohol affects how well the kidneys remove uric acid from the body. Water and non-alcoholic beverages can help remove uric acid crystals from the system.5

 

Ask your doctor about vitamin C and coffee

Vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels. Ask your doctor if taking a vitamin C supplement is right for you.2

Drinking caffeinated coffee may also be associated with a reduced risk of gout flares. Before you change your coffee habits, however, speak to your doctor about caffeine. This is especially important if you have other health problems, as caffeine may make these problems worse. 2

 

Prescription medication can help prevent flares

If you are diagnosed with gout, your doctor may prescribe a medication that can help prevent gout flares. One such medication is Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg Capsules. Mitigare® is prescribed for the prevention of gout flares in adult patients.

The active ingredient in Mitigare®, , has been used for centuries to prevent gout flares. Colchicine was originally derived from a plant, sometimes called the autumn crocus.

 

Important Safety Information

The safety and effectiveness of Mitigare® for acute treatment of gout flares during prophylaxis has not been studied. Mitigare® is not an analgesic medication and should not be used to treat pain from other causes. Consult with your doctor about other medications you are currently prescribed. Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4. Combining these dual inhibitors with colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment has resulted in life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity. Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given Mitigare®.

Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep Mitigare® out of the reach of children. Blood dyscrasias such as myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia have been reported with colchicine used in therapeutic doses. Monitor for toxicity and if present consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine. The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The safety and effectiveness of Mitigare® for acute treatment of gout flares during prophylaxis has not been studied. Mitigare® is not an analgesic medication and should not be used to treat pain from other causes.

Speak with your doctor about which foods and drinks can help you manage your gout, and before starting any new exercise regimen. Your doctor can also tell you about prescription medications that may help.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute the guidance of a physician. These are not West-Ward’s recommendations for gout flare prevention, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

References

  1. What Is Gout? Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public. https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/gout/gout_ff.asp#e. Accessed 2/9/17.
  2. Gout Diet: What’s Allowed, What’s Not. www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524. Accessed 2/9/17.
  3. Gout & Uric Acid Education Society. The Gout Diet. http://gouteducation.org/patient/gout-treatment/diet/. Accessed 2/9/17.
  4. Batt C, Green AJ, Black MA, et al. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption: a risk factor for prevalent gout with SLC2A9 genotype-specific effects on serum urate and risk of gout. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014;73:2101-2106.
  5. Milind P, Sushila K, Neeraj S. Understanding Gout Beyond Doubt. Int Res J Pharm. 2013;4(9):25-34.
  6. Borstad GC, Bryant LR, Abel MP, Scroggie DA, Harris MD, Alloway JA. Colchicine rophylaxis of acute flares when initiating allopurinol for chronic gouty arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2004;31:2429-2432.

Important Safety Information for Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg capsules

  • Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4. Combining these dual inhibitors with colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment has resulted in life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity. Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given Mitigare®.
  • Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep Mitigare® out of the reach of children.
  • Blood dyscrasias such as myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia have been reported with colchicine used in therapeutic doses.
  • Monitor for toxicity and if present consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine.
  • Drug interaction with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors: Co-administration of colchicine with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors has resulted in life-threatening interactions and death.
  • Neuromuscular toxicity and rhabdomyolysis may occur with chronic treatment with colchicine in therapeutic doses, especially in combination with other drugs known to cause this effect. Patients with impaired renal function and elderly patients (including those with normal renal and hepatic function) are at increased risk. Consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of Mitigare®.
  • The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Indication

Mitigare® is indicated for prophylaxis of gout flares in adults. The safety and effectiveness of Mitigare for acute treatment of gout flares during prophylaxis has not been studied.

Mitigare® is not an analgesic medication and should not be used to treat pain from other causes.

For Full Prescribing Information please CLICK HERE and for Medication Guide CLICK HERE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Manufactured by: West-Ward Columbus Inc., Columbus, OH 43228

Read More...

Important Safety Information for Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg capsules

  • Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4.