I've taken it for a large chunk of my life. The number of times you have gout? ONCE in a whole lifetime. That's enough.
The acute stage was treated with IIRC Feldene or something like that.
A Prince Philip of Spain was carried out into the countryside to die. Now, that's bad gout. I'd guess he had nice helpings of wine,shrimp etc., to ease him through the last days.
I had a gallstone the size of a small chicken's egg. I don't know if it's related.