Uses
What is febuxostat used for?
Febuxostat is commonly used to treat gout, which is a form of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in your blood and joints. Febuxostat may be used when another medicine for gout, allopurinol, cannot be safely used or has not worked well enough.
Febuxostat may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does febuxostat work (mechanism of action)?
Febuxostat works by reducing the production of uric acid in your body. If uric acid levels get too high, crystals can form in your joints and cause inflammation and pain (gout flares). By reducing the formation of uric acid, febuxostat helps prevent gout flares.
How is febuxostat supplied (dosage forms)?
Febuxostat is available as Uloric and generic febuxostat in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 40 mg oral tablets
- 80 mg oral tablets
How should I store febuxostat?
Febuxostat should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep tightly closed. Protect from light.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of febuxostat?
The most common side effects of febuxostat are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Liver damage (see below)
- Nausea
- Joint pain
- Rash (see below)
There may be other side effects of febuxostat that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of febuxostat?
While less common, the most serious side effects of febuxostat are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Heart-Related Death. Febuxostat may increase your risk of heart-related death compared to another medicine for gout, allopurinol. This risk was seen in people with heart disease. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
- Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
- Sudden and severe headache
- Numbness or weakness on one side of your body
- Slurring of speech
- Sudden blurry vision
Gout Flares. Febuxostat may increase your gout flares before making your symptoms better. It may take several months to reduce uric acid levels enough to control your gout flares. It is very important to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations, which may include taking medicine for pain and inflammation while taking febuxostat, and drinking enough fluids.
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking febuxostat. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Severe Skin Reactions. Febuxostat can cause severe skin reactions called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop febuxostat and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.
- Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
- Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
- Red, painful, watery eyes
Severe Allergic Reactions. Febuxostat may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking febuxostat and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
- Dark-colored pee
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use febuxostat?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use febuxostat.
- Febuxostat
- Uloric
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific febuxostat products they stock.
Drug Interactions. Febuxostat should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking febuxostat, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
What should I know about febuxostat before using it?
Do not take febuxostat unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share febuxostat with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep febuxostat out of the reach of children.
If you are being treated for gout, your symptoms may get worse before getting better while taking febuxostat. Talk to your healthcare provider about managing gout flares while taking febuxostat.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using febuxostat?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if febuxostat is right for you.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Heart problems, including heart disease or a prior heart attack
- If you have ever had a stroke
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Cancer
- If you have ever had an organ transplant
Other Medicines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever taken allopurinol and what happened to you while you were taking it.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how febuxostat could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if febuxostat passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take febuxostat while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does febuxostat interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between febuxostat and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect febuxostat.
Does febuxostat interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking febuxostat.
- Mercaptopurine or azathioprine, which are used to suppress your immune system in treating certain diseases
- Theophylline, which is used to treat certain breathing conditions
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with febuxostat. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much febuxostat?
If you or someone else has used too much febuxostat, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of febuxostat?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Febuxostat (Uloric)?
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