Home Remedies for Gout: What Works?

By: | | Topics : About Gout, Lifestyle Tips for Gout,

If you suffer with gout, it’s important to know that medication is one of the most effective ways to manage the condition.1,2 A urate-lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol can reduce the amount of uric acid in your bloodstream (the root cause of the disease), and a colchicine medication, such as Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6mg Capsules can help prevent painful gout flares.2-4 That said, some people find other gout care measures helpful as well. Read on to learn more about lifestyle changes and home remedies for gout.

Manage pain during a gout attack

According to research conducted by the Gout Education Society, people with gout compare the pain associated with a flare to some of the most agonizing conditions a person can experience (passing a kidney stone, for example).5 If you’ve ever had a gout attack, you know that the main goal is to relieve the pain as quickly as possible. Home remedies for gout like ice, elevating the affected joint and taking a non-aspirin, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help.6

Manage the disease between gout flares

What you do in between gout attacks can go a long way toward helping you prevent them.2 The 2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Gout recommends ULT and preventive anti-inflammatory therapy (one such anti-inflammatory therapy is colchicine).1 You may find that lifestyle changes and home remedies for gout are beneficial as well.

Lifestyle changes

If you are under a doctor’s care for gout, he or she has probably told you that your lifestyle can make a difference when it comes to preventing gout flares.2

Diet—You may know from experience that what you eat and drink can affect your risk of gout attacks.2 To learn more about the best foods and beverages for people who suffer with the condition, review this Gout-Friendly Diet Cheat Sheet. 

Weight—The American College of Rheumatology recommends that people with gout who are overweight or obese try to lose weight.1 Doing so may enable them to better manage the condition and reduce their risk of flares.1 To learn more about the connection between weight and gout, click here.

Exercise—Regular exercise can help you lose or maintain a healthy weight, which may make you less prone to gout attacks.2,7 If you’re not already working out regularly, be sure to talk with your doctor before you start. For more tips on exercising with gout, click here.

Home remedies for gout

Home remedies are appealing because they are usually inexpensive, they are typically available when you need them and for some people, they are effective. Listed below are some popular home remedies for gout:

Water—Consuming water can help excrete uric acid in your urine.8,9 Dietitians recommend at least 64 ounces of water daily (more if you are exercising).8,9 Keep a water bottle with you to help you stay hydrated on the go.

Coffee—It’s more than just a great way to start the day—drinking coffee may also be associated with a lower risk of gout.10 According experts at the Cleveland Clinic, a daily cup of joe may help reduce the uric acid levels in your body by slowing down uric acid production and speeding up the removal of uric acid.10

Milk—Research shows that low-fat milk can help reduce the uric acid level in the bloodstream and reduce the risk of gout attacks.11,12 How? Scientists believe that the proteins found in milk promote the elimination of uric acid in the urine.11,12 

Cherries—According to the Cleveland Clinic, cherries have known anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit people who suffer with gout.8 Experts also believe that cherries can help reduce the amount of uric acid in the body.8 

Vitamin C—Research shows that a vitamin C supplement (500 mg/day, according to one study13) can help reduce the uric acid level in the bloodstream and provide protection from gout flares.12-16 

While the potential benefits may be attractive, home remedies for gout may not be healthy for everyone. If you are thinking about trying one of the above home remedies for gout, be sure to ask your doctor about it first.

Talk with your doctor

If you’re looking into home remedies for gout because you’re having flares more frequently than you once did, make an appointment to visit your doctor. He or she can examine your affected joint, ask about your symptoms and check your uric acid level.2 You may find it helpful to complete this Gout Flare Questionnaire beforehand so you are better prepared to discuss your gout attacks and how they impact your life. 

 

Mitigare® is a registered trademark of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc

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.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Mitigare® for complete product details.

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

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References

  1. FitzGerald JD, Dalbeth N, et al. 2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Gout. Arthritis Care Res. (Hoboken) 2020;72(6):744–760.
  2. Gout/Diagnosis & treatment. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372903.html. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  3. Gout/Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897.html Accessed March 31, 2003.
  4. Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6mg Capsules [prescribing information]. Columbus, OH: West-Ward Columbus, Inc.; 2019.
  5. Gout Patients Bear a Tremendous Burden, Research Reveals. Cision PR Newswire. Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gout-patients-bear-a-tremendous-burden-research-reveals-300854747.html. Accessed March 31, 2023.
  6. Managing a Gout Flare. Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/managing-a-gout-attack.. Accessed March 31, 2023.
  7. Gout. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4755-gout. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  8. Gout Low Purine Diet. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22548-gout-low-purine-diet. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  9. Diet & Lifestyle. Gout Education Society website. Available at: https://gouteducation.org/diet-lifestyle.html. Accessed March 31, 2003.
  10. Gout Low Purine Diet. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22548-gout-low-purine-diet. Accessed March 31, 2023.
  11. Gout Diet: Dos and Don’ts. Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/healthy-eating/gout-diet-dos-and-donts. Accessed March 31, 2023.
  12. Towiwat P, Li Z-G. The Association of vitamin C, alcohol, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt with uric acid and gout. Int J Rheum Dis. 2015;18:495-501.
  13. Huang H-Y, et al. The Effects of Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum Concentrations of Uric Acid. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52(6):1843-1847.
  14. Juraschek SP, Miller ER, Gelber AC. Effect of Oral Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum Uric Acid: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2011;63(9):1295-1306.
  15. Gao X, Curhan G, Forman JP, Ascherio A, Choi HK. Vitamin C Intake and Serum Uric Acid Concentration in Men. J Rheumatol. 2008;35(9):1853-1858.
  16. Choi HK, Gau X, Curhan G. Vitamin C Intake and the Risk of Gout in Men: A Prospective Study. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(5):502-507.

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

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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.