FEBUXOSTAT

Febuxostat is an antihyperuricaemic agent belonging to the xanthine oxidase inhibitor class of medicines. It received U.S. FDA approval on 13 February 2009 for the treatment of gout.

Febuxostat is prescribed to treat gout and it is also used in the treatment of Chemotherapy for blood cancers.

Febuxostat is to be administered orally. Swallow the whole tablet with water. If you forgot to take the tablet, simply take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with febuxostat are diarrhea, headache, rash, nausea, increase in gout symptoms, localised swelling due to retention of fluids in tissues, and abnormal liver function. If you experience any allergic or unusual reactions after taking this medicine, report to your doctor immediately.

During the Febuxostat treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your white blood cell counts, platelets, blood sugar, electrolytes and kidney parameters to prevent serious complications. This medicine has the potential to cause heart problems. People with a history of heart disease or stroke should be monitored closely while taking febuxostat, as it may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Febuxostat can cause liver damage, so it should not be used in people with severe liver disease or those with a history of liver problems. Inform to the doctor if you have been diagnosed with liver disorders, heart failure, high blood cholesterol levels, or hypertension before starting this treatment.

This drug is not recommended during pregnancy as it causes harm to the unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider before beginning this treatment if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby. It is advised for both men and women to follow proper contraceptive methods during and for 3 months after the last dose of Febuxostat. Report to your doctor if you experience any hypersensitive reactions like itchy skin or rashes, while taking this medicine. This tablet contains lactose as an inactive ingredient in which the body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It can cause symptoms such as bloating, and abdominal pain. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy.

Febuxostat is generally not recommended during pregnancy because it may potentially harm the developing fetus. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while receiving treatment, consult your doctor for appropriate guidance. Since it is unclear whether febuxostat passes into breast milk, breastfeeding is generally not advised during treatment unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider.

Purines are broken down by the body into uric acid, which can contribute to gout. Therefore, limiting foods that are high in purines, such as meat, mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower, and red meat like beef and pork, may be beneficial. Foods with lower purine content, including most fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can generally be included in a balanced diet.

Maintain adequate fluid intake while taking febuxostat, as drinking plenty of water may help reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. Alcohol may increase the likelihood of gout attacks, so it is advisable to limit or avoid alcohol during treatment.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on March 2013] [ Accessed on 12th July 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021856s011lbl.pdf Takai M;Yamauchi T;Ookura M;Matsuda Y;Tai K;Kishi S;Yoshida A;Iwasaki H;Nakamura T;Ueda T; Febuxostat for management of tumour lysis syndrome including its effects on levels of purine metabolites in patients with haematological malignancies - a single institution's, pharmacokinetic and pilot prospective study, Anticancer research. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25503162/ (Accessed on March 25, 2023). Takai, M. et al. (2014) Controlling serum uric acid using febuxostat in cancer patients at risk of tumor lysis syndrome, Oncology letters. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4156226/ (Accessed on March 25, 2023). Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic agents; pharmacotherapy of gout, 12th edition, 2011, 1499. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antirheumatoid and antigout drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 217.