Febuxostat
Are you a clinician? See the clinical version of this page.
Taken as a tablet once a day, with or without food, and it can be taken with antacids. As with other uric-acid-lowering medicines, gout can flare when you start, so you may be given another medicine to prevent flares at first. It is generally used when allopurinol has not worked well enough or is not suitable.
- Gout (urate lowering): Usually started at the lower dose and increased if your uric acid is still high after a couple of weeks.
Tests while you take it
You may have blood tests for uric acid and liver function. Because of a heart-safety concern, tell your team about any chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
What to know
How it is used in gout
Febuxostat is a second-line choice, often used if allopurinol causes problems or does not lower uric acid enough. It works in a similar way and is taken once a day.
Monitoring
Your uric acid is checked to guide the dose to target. If you have heart disease, your team weighs this up and may prefer a different medicine.
Common effects
Common effects can include liver blood-test changes, nausea, joint aches, and rash. As with any uric-acid-lowering medicine, attacks can happen more at first.
Important cautions
If you have heart problems, tell your team, as there have been concerns about heart risks with this medicine. Report any rash or feeling unwell.
What to watch for
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or symptoms of a heart problem, which should be assessed promptly given cardiovascular safety concerns.
- A rash or feeling unwell after starting.
- More frequent attacks in the first weeks, which is expected while your levels settle.