Pharmacist’s Review on Febuxostat
Approximately 4% of Americans struggle with gout. Don’t let your gout go untreated, try Febuxostat.
Febuxostat is the generic medication for Uloric, an anti-gout agent (anti-hyperuricemic) that’s a part of a drug class known as xanthine oxidase inhibitors.
Febuxostat use
Febuxostat is used to treat the chronic (long-term) gout symptoms. An excessive amount uric acid in your blood causes gout attack. Febuxostat works by lowering the amount of uric acid in your body.
An increased amount of uric acid is described as levels greater than 6.0 mg/dL in women and levels greater than 7.0 mg/dL in men.
Febuxostat should only be used after treatment with the drug allopurinol failed to lower your uric acid level, caused severe side effects, or was not prescribed by your doctor, due to the risk of very serious heart-related issues and stroke
Learn more about gout
Administration
The active component in Uloric oral (taken by mouth) tablet form, febuxostat, comes in 2 dosage forms: 40 mg and 80 mg (your medical condition and treatment response will determine the dosage).
The dose may be started at 40 mg daily, this strength can be increased to 80 mg if your uric acid is not less than 6mg/dL at 2 weeks. The maximum dose is 80 mg/day.
To receive the greatest benefits from this medication, take it consistently. It's recommended to take febuxostat at the same time every day in order to remember. Febuxostat can be taken either with or without food.
During the first few months that you take febuxostat, your doctor may advise medications, including colchicine, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin to prevent and/or treat a gout attack. As advised by your doctor, keep taking the prescribed medications for gout attacks.
Side effects
- Gout flares—After taking this medication for an extended period of time (several months), you can experience additional gout attacks while your body gets rid of extra uric acid.
- Rash
- Nausea
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Unusual bruising
- A feeling of impending faintness or lightheadedness
- Symptoms of a heart attack include feeling short of breath, chest tension or pain, pain in your shoulder and/or jaw
- Liver issues can emerge as upper right side stomach pain, unusual fatigue, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Suddenly developing numbness or weakness (particularly on 1 side of your body), a severe headache, slurred speech, and/or issues with eyesight or balance/stability are all symptoms of a stroke
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat, or a severe skin reaction, including burning in your eye(s), or purple or red skin rash that may cause peeling or blisters, seek emergency medical attention.
Missing a dose
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the forgotten dose and take the next one at the usual time. Do not take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Speak with your doctor
Febuxostat is relatively considered a safe and effective medication for chronic gout treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider today about using febuxostat and send your prescription to Marley Drug. Save up to 95% compared to your local pharmacy by using Marley Drug.