What is Febuxostat?
Febuxostat reduces the production of uric acid in your body. Uric acid buildup can lead to gout or kidney stones.
Febuxostat is used to treat gout.
Febuxostat may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Febuxostat?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to febuxostat, or if you are also being treated with azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mercaptopurine (Purinethol), or theophylline (Elixophyllin, TheoCap, Theochron, Uniphyl).
Before taking febuxostat, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
You may have an increase in gout symptom flares when you first start taking febuxostat. For best results, keep taking the medication as directed. Your doctor may prescribe other gout medications for you to use during the first 6 months of treatment with febuxostat.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using febuxostat.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Febuxostat?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to febuxostat, or if you are being treated with any of the following medications:
- azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)
- mercaptopurine (Purinethol); or
- theophylline (Elixophyllin, TheoCap, Theochron, Uniphyl)
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before taking febuxostat, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- heart disease, high blood pressure; or
- diabetes
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking febuxostat, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether febuxostat passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Febuxostat Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Febuxostat?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using febuxostat and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding
- hearing problems, ringing in your ears
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- blood in your urine; or
- urinating less than usual
Less serious side effects may include:
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
- upset stomach
- dry mouth, thirst
- blurred vision
- dizziness, spinning sensation
- joint pain, swelling, or stiffness
- muscle pain; or
- mild skin rash
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Febuxostat Interactions
What other drugs affect Febuxostat?
There may be other drugs that can interact with febuxostat. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Febuxostat?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using febuxostat.
Febuxostat Dosage
How should I take Febuxostat?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
You may have an increase in gout symptom flares when you first start taking febuxostat. For best results, keep taking the medication as directed. Your doctor may prescribe other gout medications for you to use during the first 6 months of treatment with febuxostat.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
Store febuxostat at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Febuxostat?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of febuxostat is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What happens if I miss a dose of Febuxostat?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com