What is the most effective initial therapy for patients with acute gout?

The most effective initial therapy for patients with acute gout is NSAIDs, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation and alleviating pain associated with the acute gout attack. They act quickly to control symptoms and help improve the patient's comfort during an acute flare-up.

While other options such as colchicine and corticosteroids are also effective in treating acute gout, they may not be as readily accessible for immediate relief or may have a slower onset of action compared to NSAIDs. Acetaminophen, although it can relieve pain, does not have strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it less effective for treating the inflammation specifically associated with gout. Therefore, NSAIDs are typically the preferred first-line treatment in the management of acute gout attacks due to their efficacy in pain management and inflammation control.