About Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis. It often comes and goes with attacks of pain, redness and swelling in one or more joints. People can go months or years without any symptoms, but suddenly start to have attacks.
Gout is caused by having too much uric acid in the body. Some people make too much uric acid, but in most people their kidneys do not get rid of enough uric acid. The uric acid may then build up in the blood and over time may deposit in the form of crystals in body tissues. When this happens in joints, it can cause inflammation in the joint (arthritis) leading to pain, swelling and even redness.
Current treatments
Medications that lower blood levels of uric acid are used to treat gout. Current gout treatments, however, do not always lower uric acid enough. If your uric acid level is not low enough, your gout attacks can become more frequent and more painful. Over-the-counter medicine for pain and swelling will do nothing to lower your blood uric acid level.
Researching an investigational study medication
Clinical research doctors are currently enrolling people with gout in research studies. These studies will evaluate an investigational study medication for gout. "Investigational" means that the medication isn't approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by the general public.
The investigational study medication being examined is designed to work differently than most of the commonly used gout medications. Doctors are studying this medication to see if it may lower uric acid levels and possibly relieve gout symptoms.
