Can patients with gout take ibuprofen?
Disease description:
My father has had gout for one or two years and has not been completely cured. It's very painful when it flares up now. May I ask if he can take ibuprofen for pain relief?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Gout patients can take ibuprofen, especially during acute gout attacks. Ibuprofen belongs to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and can effectively relieve symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the joints caused by gout. During acute gout attacks, ibuprofen can be one of the first-line medications to help patients quickly control inflammation and pain. However, ibuprofen does not lower blood uric acid levels and therefore cannot treat gout at its root. Thus, after the pain has subsided, patients still need to adopt other measures, such as taking uric acid-lowering medications, adjusting diet, and increasing physical activity, to control uric acid levels and prevent future gout attacks. In addition, ibuprofen may also cause some side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. Therefore, it should be used under medical supervision, with attention to dosage and duration of treatment, and long-term or excessive use should be avoided. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases should use ibuprofen cautiously, and when necessary, it can be combined with medications that protect the stomach.
