My father has a gout attack, can he take something to relieve it until he sees his doctor?

Hello Ma'am,

Greatly sorry for the delay in response.

In such a case, the best thing to do is to take anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve™, a medication that has recently become available without a prescription at the pharmacy.

Also note that the treatment of gout attack aims to reduce pain and inflammation quickly. Anti-inflammatory drugs are among the first choices for treatment and are most effective when started at the first symptoms. Colchicine is a drug also prescribed for this indication. It is recommended that the joint be rested, elevated, and iced (in 20-minute periods). It is also important to drink plenty of fluids (without alcohol and sugar). Thereafter, depending on your general medical condition your doctor will judge whether preventive drug treatment would be appropriate for you, in order to decrease the frequency of gout attacks.