A more effective treatment plan could be on the way for people who suffer from gout.

Researchers at Otago University believe increasing the standard dose of allopurinol for gout patients will better combat their symptoms. The increased dose had a positive impact on 86 percent of patients over a 12 month period.

But Dr Lisa Stamp says individual patients should not start giving themselves a higher dose, without going to see their doctor first. She says a larger study is needed to trigger changes to the national guidelines.