Febuxostat (Uloric) is a once daily medication that can prevent gout flares. It's a second-choice treatment option after allopurinol (Zyloprim).
Gout in people who can't take or haven't responded to allopurinol (Zyloprim)
Febuxostat (Uloric) stops an enzyme called xanthine oxidase from making uric acid; this then lowers the uric acid levels in your body. Keeping uric acid levels low can prevent gout attacks and kidney stones.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Arm, back, or jaw pain
black, tarry stools
bloody nose
blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
chills
cloudy urine
confusion
dark urine
decreased frequency or amount of urine
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with moving
dizziness
fainting
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of fullness
gaseous abdominal or stomach pain
general feeling of tiredness and weakness
headache
heavier menstrual periods
inability to speak
increase in heart rate
increased thirst
itching, skin rash
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
muscle aching or cramping
nervousness
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
pounding in the ears
rapid breathing
redness of the skin
right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
seizures
severe or sudden headache
shivering
slow or fast heartbeat
slurred speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach fullness or pain
sunken eyes
sweating
swelling
temporary blindness
thirst
tightness in the chest
trouble sleeping
trouble swallowing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
wrinkled skin
yellow eyes and skin
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
difficulty with swallowing
hoarseness
lower back or side pain
muscle cramps or spasms
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
body aches or pain
breast pain
bruising
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in taste
changes in hair color
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
cough producing mucus
cracked, dry, or scaly skin
decrease in smell
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
deep or fast breathing with dizziness
ear congestion
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
fruit-like breath odor
gum pain
hair loss or thinning of the hair
hearing loss
inability to have or keep an erection
inability to move the arms and legs
increased or decreased appetite
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
increased sweating
increased urination
irritability
large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of consciousness
loss of voice
muscle or bone pain or stiffness
muscle spasm, tightness, or weakness
muscle twitching
numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
painful blisters on the trunk of the body
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
sensation of spinning
severe or continuing stomach pain
severe sunburn
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
small red or purple spots on the skin
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
sweating
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
throat irritation
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
trouble sleeping
unexplained weight loss
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
Incidence not known
Aggressive thoughts
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Only needs to be take once a day
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Less risk of kidney stones when compared to allopurinol (Zyloprim)
Taken once a day with or without food
Can be used in people with kidney or liver problems
Can cause more gout flares when you first start
Not a good option for people with heart conditions
Should only be used if allopurinol (Zyloprim) isn't an option
Won't treat an acute gout attack
Gout attacks might be more common when you first start febuxostat (Uloric). Continue to take febuxostat (Uloric) every day and use your as needed gout medications for the attacks/flares.
Try to take febuxostat (Uloric) at the same time every day. It doesn't matter if you take it with or without food.
Make sure you follow up with your provider and get labs drawn regularly. Lab work will show if the medication is working correctly.
Tell your provider about all the medications you're taking, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements. In fact, many medications can interact with febuxostat (Uloric). It can't be taken with some medications like azathioprine and mercaptopurine.
Febuxostat (Uloric) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Having a history of heart problems
In clinical trials, there were more heart disease-related deaths in people taking febuxostat (Uloric) than in those taking allopurinol. For this reason, febuxostat (Uloric) should only be used if allopurinol doesn't work or can't be used. Let your provider know if you have a history of heart conditions and if you're taking preventative medications like aspirin. Get medical help right away if you have chest pain or a change in your heart beat.
Many people have more gout attacks during the first few weeks of taking febuxostat (Uloric). This might be caused by the changes in your uric acid levels. Your provider might prescribe another medication for you to take with febuxostat (Uloric) to help with the gout attacks in the beginning.
Although rare, febuxostat (Uloric) can cause serious liver damage, which can be fatal (deadly) in some cases. Your provider will check your liver labs regularly and might stop the medication if your labs look abnormal. Let your provider know if you have any yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these can be signs of a liver problem.
Risk factors: People who had a skin reaction after taking allopurinol (Zyloprim)
In some rare cases, people have developed a severe skin reaction after taking febuxostat (Uloric). If you developed a skin reaction after taking allopurinol (Zyloprim), you might also be at risk for developing one with febuxostat (Uloric) too. Stop taking febuxostat (Uloric) and call your provider right away if you notice red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin.
The recommended starting dose is 40 mg by mouth once a day. Your provider might raise your dose to 80 mg once a day if you still have high uric acid levels after a couple of weeks.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Take azathioprine (Imuran) or mercaptopurine
Gout in people who can't take or haven't responded to allopurinol (Zyloprim)
Gout (joint pain and swelling caused by high uric acid levels)
Boosting antibiotic activity to fight infections
Gout in adults
Prevention of tumor lysis syndrome from certain chemotherapy medications in adults and children with cancer
Recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones in adults
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