Short answer: the fastest reliable relief from a gout flare usually comes from treating inflammation early with an appropriate medication. Current guidelines list an NSAID, colchicine, or a corticosteroid as first-line options, depending on the person’s health history, kidney function, other medications, and contraindications. For a fuller discussion to use with your healthcare provider, see gout medications and how long a gout flare typically lasts.
There is no drink, cleanse, massage technique, or supplement proven to stop an acute gout attack quickly.
What treatments are used for a gout flare?
NICE recommends a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), colchicine, or a short course of an oral corticosteroid as first-line treatment for a gout flare, taking into account other medical conditions and medications. The American College of Rheumatology gives similar guidance.
The best choice is individual. NSAIDs are not appropriate for everyone, especially some people with kidney disease, gastrointestinal bleeding risk, cardiovascular disease, or certain medication combinations. Colchicine also requires attention to dosing, kidney function, and drug interactions. Steroids have their own risks.
If you already have a clinician-approved flare plan, using it promptly at the first clear signs of an attack may help. If you do not, ask your clinician what you should do the next time a flare begins.
What can you do at home while the medication works?
- Rest the joint. Avoid unnecessary pressure or exercise on a severely inflamed joint.
- Use a cold pack. NICE says ice packs can be considered alongside medication to help with pain.
- Stay normally hydrated. Dehydration can be unhelpful, but forcing excessive water does not “flush” gout away.
- Avoid aggressive massage. A hot, exquisitely tender gout joint generally does not need deep-tissue work or pressure.
Should you stop allopurinol during a flare?
People already taking prescribed urate-lowering therapy are generally not advised to stop it simply because a flare occurs. Long-term urate control and acute-flare treatment are different jobs. If you are uncertain what to do with your medication, contact the clinician who prescribed it rather than stopping it on your own.
When does a painful red joint need urgent evaluation?
Gout can resemble a joint infection. Seek prompt medical care if this is your first suspected gout attack, the diagnosis is uncertain, you have fever or feel systemically ill, the pain is unusually severe, or there is concern for septic arthritis. NICE specifically advises clinicians to consider septic arthritis and refer immediately when it is suspected.
What about tart cherry or supplements during a flare?
Some supplements, including tart cherry, have research suggesting possible benefits for urate levels or flare risk over time. That is different from showing that they reliably stop an active gout attack. They should not delay proven flare treatment or evaluation of a potentially infected joint.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
Sources
Evidence checked September 2026.