Two long-term medications for gout are allopurinol and febuxostat. This is the most commonly used drug. It is usually taken once a day, and works by lowering the amount of uric acid produced by the body. After uric acid levels are measured, people are usually prescribed a low dose to start with.

Although there is evidence that colchicine, an alkaloid derived from the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), was used as a powerful purgative in ancient Greece more than 2000 years ago, its first use as a selective and specific treatment for gout is attributed to the Byzantine Christian physician Alexander of Tralles …

Gout has long been known as the “disease of kings” because of the lavish diet and alcohol consumption of the wealthy, like King Henry VIII, who suffered from it. Gout is also the “king of arthritic diseases” because the pain of an acute gout attack is so severe, it often leads to a visit to the emergency department.

There’s very little evidence that suggests coffee intake causes gout or increases the risk of a gout flare-up. Although the majority of evidence is in favor of drinking coffee to reduce gout risk, there’s still room to continue to expand the research.

The results showed that levels of uric acid in the blood significantly decreased with increasing coffee intake, but not with tea intake. In addition, there was no association between total caffeine intake from beverages and uric acid levels.

Natural Ways to Reduce Uric Acid in the Body

• Limit purine-rich foods.
• Avoid sugar.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Lose weight.
• Balance insulin.
• Add fiber.
• Reduce stress.
• Check medications and supplements.