Gout is a metabolic disease process with abnormal amounts of urates in the body characterized by recurring acute ahritis. The diagnosis is verified by the presence of urate crystals in the fluid of affected joints. Treatment of an acute attack may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicines or coicosteroids for symptomatic relief. The xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol promptly lowers plasma urate concentration and is helpful in preventing recurrences. The most frequent adverse effect, however, is the precipitation of an acute gouty attack. Ref: Burns C., Womann R.L. (2013). Chapter 44. Gout. In J.B. Imboden, D.B. Hellmann, J.H. Stone (Eds), CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Rheumatology, 3e.