(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Gout is caused from high levels of serum uric acid in the bloodstream and affects more than 5 million Americans. Until recently, the only treatment for gout, allopurinol (Zyloprim), was associated with less than average results. But a recent study shows a new drug is superior in combating the problem.

Gout is a aching and often disabling form of arthritis with symptoms including intense attacks of painful swelling in single joints. Commonly it affects the feet and specifically the big toe. It can result in anything from a day in bed to having to use crutches indefinitely. It regularly affects men but incidences increase in women after menopause.

The study, by Robert Wortmann, M.D., of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, compared the impact of multiple dosage levels of a new drug, febuxostat, to allopurinol.

In every level, participants taking febuxostat experienced significantly lower levels of uric acid in their bloodstream compared to participants taking allopurinol. On average febuxostat lowered 60 percent of the participants' uric acid levels below 6.8 milligrams per deciliters, the point at which gout arises, where allopurinol only lowered 22 percent of the participants' levels to the same degree.

Dr. Wortmann says, "This study is very encouraging because it shows that febuxostat was superior at lowering serum uric acid levels compared to allopurinol." For the past 40 years, allopurinol has been the only drug to treat gout, but with this discovery, researchers are hoping millions of Americans will find new relief.