Licensed Ontario healthcare professionals
Every assessment is reviewed by a healthcare professional licensed in Ontario, trained in health conditions prescribing.
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Care365
Ontario Virtual Care
Acute Gout Treatment Online — Ontario Virtual Care
See a licensed healthcare professional online for acute gout — no waiting room, no travel.
A gout flare is intensely painful but very treatable when caught early — the priority is ruling out a joint infection first, then starting anti-inflammatory treatment as soon as possible. This assessment also makes sure any existing urate-lowering therapy (like allopurinol) isn't changed mid-flare, since that can prolong it.
Licensed Ontario healthcare professionals
Same-day review
Prescriptions sent directly
CCare365
Care365 workflowComplete assessment → clinical review → prescription sent when appropriate.
Quick Self-Check
Answer a few quick questions. This isn't a diagnosis — a real clinical assessment is the next step either way.
How We Work
Your healthcare professional screens for signs of joint infection — fever, an infected-looking joint, a recent joint procedure, or inability to bear weight — before treating this as a routine gout flare. Absent those, you can be offered an NSAID, colchicine, or a short prednisone course, whichever fits your health history, plus rest, ice, and trigger avoidance. If you take allopurinol or febuxostat, that dose stays the same through the flare.
Complete a short online assessment
Answer real, condition-specific questions — takes a few minutes, no appointment needed to start.
A licensed clinical reviews your answers
A real healthcare professional licensed in Ontario reviews your case, typically the same day — not an automated approval.
Get your treatment plan
When appropriate, your prescription is sent directly to your preferred pharmacy, with clear next steps.
Why Choose Care365?
Fast, Real Assessments
No generic templates — your answers are reviewed by a real person, typically the same day.
Secure & Private
Your information is encrypted and only seen by the clinical reviewing your case.
Prescriptions Sent Directly
When appropriate, your prescription goes straight to your preferred pharmacy — no extra trip needed.
Common Symptoms
- Sudden, intense pain in a joint — classically the big toe, but also the ankle, knee, or wrist
- Redness, warmth, and swelling over the affected joint
- Pain severe enough to make it hard to bear weight or wear a shoe
- Symptoms that peak within 12-24 hours of onset
- A history of prior gout flares or known high uric acid levels
Treatment Options
These options may be prescribed by a Care365 healthcare professional after a real assessment — this is general information, not a recommendation to use any specific medication without one.
| Medication | Class | Route | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naproxen | NSAID | Oral | 5-7 days |
| Colchicine | Anti-inflammatory (microtubule inhibitor) | Oral | 3 days |
| Prednisone | Oral corticosteroid | Oral | 3-5 days |
Non-medication options
- Rest and elevate — Rest and elevate the affected joint.
- Ice — Apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
- Avoid triggers — Avoid alcohol, red meat, seafood and sugary drinks, and stay well hydrated.
Everything in One Place
- Easy online scheduling — submit your assessment in minutes
- Real clinical review, not an automated approval
- Prescriptions sent directly to your preferred pharmacy when appropriate
- 100% virtual — no travel, no waiting room
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a gout flare different from a joint infection?
Fever, a joint that looks infected, a recent joint procedure, or being unable to bear any weight at all point toward a possible infection, which needs in-person assessment rather than gout treatment — your healthcare professional screens for this first.
Should I stop taking my allopurinol during a flare?
No — starting or stopping urate-lowering therapy (allopurinol or febuxostat) during an acute flare can prolong it. Continue your existing stable dose and treat the flare separately.
How fast does treatment work?
Starting an NSAID, colchicine, or a short prednisone course as early as possible in the flare gives the fastest relief. Your healthcare professional checks back in at 48-72 hours to confirm you're improving.
What can I do myself to feel better?
Rest and elevate the joint, apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day, and avoid alcohol, red meat, seafood, and sugary drinks, which are common triggers.
Should I start allopurinol after this flare settles?
It's worth discussing whether to start ongoing urate-lowering therapy once the flare has resolved, especially after a first flare or if you've had recurrent ones.
Acute Gout Can Be Treated
Complete a real assessment online — a licensed Ontario clinical reviews your case and arranges treatment and prescription support when appropriate.
Start My Free Assessment