Which medication is often used for acute gout attacks?

Colchicine is a medication specifically indicated for the treatment of acute gout attacks. It works by reducing inflammation and relieving pain associated with the sudden onset of a gout flare. Colchicine is particularly effective when taken early during an acute episode, as it helps to disrupt the inflammatory process caused by urate crystals in the joints.

While other medications listed can play a role in managing gout, their purposes differ. For instance, ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that may relieve pain and inflammation but is not specific to gout management. Allopurinol, on the other hand, is typically used as a long-term management therapy to lower uric acid levels and prevent recurrence of gout attacks rather than treating acute symptoms. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can reduce inflammation and may be used when other therapies are ineffective, but it is not the first-line treatment for acute attacks as colchicine is.

Thus, colchicine is the preferred choice for promptly addressing the inflammatory response during an acute gout flare, making it the correct answer in this context.