Should medication be continued for a recurring tendency of gout?

Gout is a metabolic disease associated with hyperuricemia, which is characterized by recurrent arthritis, tophus formation, and kidney damage. For patients who have been diagnosed with gout, it is necessary to follow certain principles in the treatment process to control the progression of the disease. Medication is one of the important means of gout management.

Currently, commonly used uric acid-lowering drugs include benzbromarone tablets that promote uric acid excretion and allopurinol tablets that inhibit uric acid synthesis. These drugs can effectively lower the uric acid level in the blood and reduce the risk of gout attacks. However, even with medication, gout may still recur.

This may be due to individual differences in drug response or failure to take medication correctly as recommended by doctors. For patients with a tendency to recurrent gout, whether to continue taking medication is an important issue.

Generally, if the patient's condition is relatively stable without obvious symptoms and signs, it is possible to consider gradually reducing the drug dosage or stopping the medication for a period of observation. However, in such cases, close monitoring of the patient's uric acid level changes and the presence of any other uncomfortable symptoms is necessary. Once abnormalities are detected, medical attention should be sought promptly and medication should be restarted.

In addition to medication, dietary adjustment is also a key factor in preventing gout recurrence. It is recommended that patients avoid excessive intake of high-purine foods such as animal organs, seafood, and beer. Increasing water intake helps promote uric acid excretion. Moderate exercise also contributes to maintaining ideal body weight and blood sugar levels, thereby reducing the risk of gout attacks.

For patients with a tendency to recurrent gout, medication is still necessary, but attention should also be paid to dietary adjustment and lifestyle changes. Only by taking a comprehensive approach with multiple measures can the progression of the disease be effectively controlled and the quality of life improved.