If I have a gout flareup with my hand and I take ibuprofen for it, will it make it worse since I am starting to take it after the onset? I think that avoiding taking the medication - as recommended in the article at the site - really only means if I start with one of the more heavy duty medications. See below: Long-term medicines Long-term treatment uses medicines to lower uric acid levels in the blood. This can reduce how often you have gout attacks and how severe they are. These medicines may include: Uricosuric agents, to increase elimination of uric acid by the kidneys. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, to decrease production of uric acid by the body. Colchicine, to prevent flare-ups during the first months that you are taking medicines that lower uric acid. Pegloticase (Krystexxa). This medicine is for gout that has lasted a long time and hasn t responded to other treatment. If your doctor prescribes medicine to lower your uric acid levels, be sure to take it as directed. Most people will continue to take this medicine every day. It is also important to know how to take it. If you re taking one of these medicines, continue to take the medicine during the attack. If you have one of these medicines but have not been taking it, do not start taking the medicine during an attack. Starting these medicines while you are having a gout attack can make your attack much worse.