A 57-year-old male presents with a painful, warm right great toe. What is the treatment of choice for acute gout in this patient?

In the management of acute gout, the primary goal is to alleviate pain and inflammation that arises during a gout attack. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are the first-line treatment for acute gout flares due to their effectiveness in rapidly controlling pain and reducing inflammation. Commonly used NSAIDs, such as naproxen and indomethacin, are well-studied and demonstrate a favorable efficacy profile for this purpose.

While corticosteroids and colchicine are also options for treating acute gout, they are generally considered when NSAIDs are contraindicated or if the patient experiences significant side effects from NSAIDs. Corticosteroids can effectively reduce inflammation and are particularly useful in patients who have contraindications to NSAIDs, such as peptic ulcer disease or renal insufficiency. Colchicine can also relieve pain if administered early in the flare; however, it often comes with gastrointestinal side effects, which can limit its use.

Allopurinol, on the other hand, is used primarily for long-term management of hyperuricemia and prevention of gout attacks rather than for treating acute flares. Therefore, while allopurinol is an essential medication in the management of gout, it does not provide immediate relief of the acute symptoms associated