Top Signs You May Want to See a Doctor for Gout

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Top Signs You May Want to See a Doctor for Gout

People with gout, a painful form of inflammatory arthritis, sometimes have an initial occurrence, followed by a long period of time when the gout is in remittance before it flares again.  Eventually, gout flares may occur more frequently and gout becomes a chronic condition for many sufferers.1 Here’s a look at symptoms and the top signs you may want to see a doctor for gout.  If you or a loved one is experiencing these signs, it’s time to find out whether it’s gout and how you can prevent future flares.

  • Pain and swelling in one or more joints. Gout often begins in the big toe but can also occur in the heels, instep, ankles, knees, elbows, hips, thumbs and fingers.
  •  
  • Redness and/or warmth in the affected joints, tenderness, and lingering discomfort.2
  • Limited range of motion.2

Uric acid builds up over time, so it may take months or even years for symptoms to arise.  A gout attack can last from three to 10 days, and then may not recur for months or even years.  Eventually though, flare-ups become more frequent and painful.  Doctors can help prevent gout flares by treating prophylactically.2  Talk to your doctor about whether available preventative medications may be right for you.

Gout flares

There are several stages of gout. The ultimate and most serious involves gout flares, which may develop in people whose uric acid levels have been high for years. Once infrequent, attacks may become more regular, with pain that can be more severe and long-lasting. Without seeing a doctor and taking preventative measures, it is possible that joint damage, as well as a loss of mobility, can occur. Gout flares are also associated with other serious health issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.3

Some signs that gout may be progressing:3

  • More frequent and longer-lasting flare-ups.
  • Flare-ups in parts of the body other than the big toe (knee and ankle).
  • Formation of “tophi” under the skin. Tophi are uric acid crystals that get deposited under the skin and form nodules; these nodules can appear anywhere on the body and can be disfiguring without medical attention.
  • Kidney problems, including gouty kidney, kidney stones and kidney failure.

 

Sidestep these Foods to Avoid Gout Flare-ups

See this checklist of foods your doctor may recommend that you limit or avoid.
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Medication that your doctor may prescribe to help prevent flares

When you’re 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, for the prophylaxis of gout flares in adult patients. 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.

The active ingredient in Mitigare®, colchicine, has been used for centuries to prevent gout flares.  Colchicine was originally derived from a plant, sometimes called the autumn crocus.  It was found to be effective for lowering levels of uric acid in the blood.4  The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  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.  Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given Mitigare®.

Today, colchicine capsules are also available as an authorized generic5 from West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp., which introduced it immediately following the FDA’s approval of the branded form, Mitigare®.  West-Ward Pharmaceuticals’ colchicine 0.6 mg capsule is the only colchicine therapy available in capsule form, and was the first authorized generic form of this therapy.

Remember, the first step if you think you may have gout, or experience symptoms, is to see your doctor.  And, during the visit, ask what you can do to help prevent flares and whether there is a prescription medication that may be right for you as part of your prevention plan.

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. Centers for Disease Control. Gout. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html. Accessed 8/27/16.
  2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Gout. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/basics/symptoms/CON-20019400. Accessed 8/27/16.
  3. Arthritis Foundation. What is Gout. http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/what-is-gout.php. Accessed 8/27/16.
  4. Borstad GC, Bryant LR, Abel MP, Scroggie DA, Harris MD, Aloway JA. Colchicine prophylaxis of acute flares when initiating allopurinol for chronic gouty arthritis. J Rheumatol 2004;31:2429-2432.
  5. Court allows generic colchicine to enter market. Rheumatology News. January 28, 2015. http://www.rheumatologynews.com/?id=8821&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=375553&cHash=864c0fa58eba19db0a8a7c6d630b47e6. Accessed 8/27/16.

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.