Febuxostat: Uses, Side Effects

Febuxostat reduces the production of uric acid in your body. A build-up of uric acid can cause gout symptoms.

Febuxostat is used to keep uric acid levels from getting to high in people with gout.

Febuxostat may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.


Before taking this medicine

You should not use febuxostat if you are allergic to it, or if you also use:

  • azathioprine; or
  • mercaptopurine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver or kidney disease;
  • heart disease;
  • a heart attack or stroke;
  • cancer;
  • Lesch-Nyhan syndrome; or
  • an organ transplant (kidney, liver, lung, heart).

It is not known whether febuxostat will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.


Side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • heart attack symptoms–chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
  • liver problems–stomach pain (upper right side), unusual tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • signs of a stroke–sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects may include:

  • gout flares, joint pain;
  • nausea;
  • mild rash; or
  • liver problems.

What other drugs will affect febuxostat?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially theophylline.


Keyword: febuxostat.

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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