Gout Treatment London: Same-Day Relief From An Online GP

Gout has a reputation for being old-fashioned, but it is one of the most common causes of sudden joint pain in working-age Londoners, and one of the most treatable. The typical attack arrives overnight: a big toe, ankle or knee that becomes hot, red, swollen and so painful that even the weight of a bedsheet is too much. An online GP can assess a suspected attack, start the right treatment the same day and plan the blood tests and longer-term prevention that stop gout coming back. At The Online GP by The Wellness, consultations are with UK-registered doctors, with prescriptions sent straight to your local pharmacy.

What is gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals building up inside a joint. Uric acid is a normal waste product, but when levels run high, crystals can form and trigger sudden, severe inflammation. The big toe is the classic first joint, but gout also affects ankles, knees, wrists and fingers. Attacks usually peak within a day and settle over one to two weeks, but without prevention they tend to return, often more often and in more joints.

Symptoms that fit gout

The classic attack is sudden, intense joint pain, usually at night, with swelling, heat and redness over one joint, commonly the base of the big toe. The skin can look shiny and the joint is exquisitely tender. Many people have had a similar milder episode before. This picture, in an otherwise well adult, can usually be assessed safely by phone or video, especially if you have had gout confirmed in the past.

When a hot joint needs urgent assessment

A hot, swollen joint is occasionally an infected joint rather than gout, and an infected joint is an emergency. Seek same-day urgent care if you have a fever, feel shivery or generally very unwell, if the joint is rapidly getting worse, or if you have a wound or recent surgery near the joint. Also seek urgent help if you cannot put any weight on the leg at all. Your online doctor will screen for these features and direct you to same-day in-person care when needed, rather than simply prescribing.

How an online GP can help today

With The Online GP by The Wellness, you can speak to a doctor the same day. Your doctor will confirm whether the pattern fits gout, rule out the warning signs above and prescribe attack treatment where appropriate, sent electronically to a pharmacy you choose, so relief can start within hours. You will also get a plan for after the attack: blood tests for uric acid and kidney function, an honest review of diet, alcohol and medicines that raise uric acid, and a discussion about preventive treatment if attacks keep returning. A phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic is £220. Not sure whether your symptoms fit? Message us on WhatsApp for a free triage and we will point you to the right next step.

Treatment your doctor may prescribe

For the attack. Anti-inflammatory tablets such as naproxen are the usual first choice and work best started early. Colchicine is the main alternative, and a short course of steroid tablets is an option when the first two are unsuitable. Ice, rest and elevation help alongside the medicine.

For prevention. If you have repeated attacks, your doctor may discuss allopurinol, a daily tablet that lowers uric acid and prevents future attacks. Guidelines now favour treating to a target uric acid level, with blood tests to check the dose is right. Preventive treatment is usually started once the current attack has settled, and continued long term.

Lifestyle measures with real evidence. Losing weight if relevant, cutting back on beer and spirits, and reducing sugary soft drinks all lower uric acid. Very strict diets are rarely needed once prevention is handled properly, and your doctor will be honest about what actually makes a difference.

What does online gout treatment cost?

With The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person consultation is £220. Private walk-in clinics in London commonly charge £100 to £250 for the same short appointment before any prescription costs. Your prescription is sent to a normal pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy's own price for the medicine.

Why choose The Online GP by The Wellness

Every consultation is with a UK-registered, GMC-registered doctor, not an automated questionnaire. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week, prescriptions go straight to your chosen pharmacy, and we think beyond the current attack: blood tests, uric acid targets and prevention are part of the plan, with an in-person review at our Marylebone clinic whenever examination or joint testing is needed. You can also read about what an online GP can prescribe.

To get treated today, call 020 3951 3429, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or book an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

Can an online GP treat gout?

Yes, in most cases. A doctor can assess the attack by phone or video, screen for signs of joint infection and prescribe anti-inflammatory treatment, colchicine or steroids the same day, sent electronically to a pharmacy you choose.

How do I know it is gout and not an infection?

Gout usually starts suddenly, often overnight, in one joint, classically the big toe, in someone otherwise well. A fever, feeling very unwell, or a rapidly worsening joint raises the possibility of infection, which needs urgent in-person assessment. Your doctor screens for exactly this.

How quickly does gout treatment work?

Anti-inflammatory treatment started early usually brings clear improvement within 24 to 48 hours, with the attack settling over one to two weeks. Starting treatment in the first hours of an attack works best.

Will gout keep coming back?

Without prevention, attacks tend to return and can become more frequent. Blood tests for uric acid, lifestyle changes and, where appropriate, a daily preventive tablet such as allopurinol bring long-term control for most people.

Should I start allopurinol during an attack?

Preventive treatment is usually started after the current attack has settled. If you already take allopurinol, do not stop it during an attack. Your doctor will time any new prevention properly and arrange blood tests to reach the right uric acid target.

How much does an online gout consultation cost in London?

At The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150 and an in-person appointment is £220. The prescription is sent to a local pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy price for the medicine.

This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last updated October 2026.