What is the most common treatment option for preventing gout attacks?

The most common treatment option for preventing gout attacks is allopurinol. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that lowers uric acid levels in the body, which helps to prevent the formation of urate crystals that lead to gout flares. It is typically used as a chronic preventive therapy in individuals who have frequent episodes of gout or who have chronic tophaceous gout.

In contrast, indomethacin and other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are primarily used to manage acute gout attacks by providing symptomatic relief. These medications do not prevent future attacks; rather, they treat the inflammation and pain associated with a flare once it has occurred. Colchicine can also be used for acute treatment and can help reduce the frequency of attacks when taken as a low-dose chronic therapy; however, it is not as commonly prescribed as allopurinol for long-term management. Therefore, for the long-term prevention of gout attacks, allopurinol is the most effective and widely recommended option.