Febuxostat
Febuxostat is used to lower hyperuricemia which is an increase of uric acid in the blood in patients with gout. These patients are usually treated with allopurinol, which probably did not work well or cannot be treated with allopurinol.
This medicine is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It is mainly working on the level of uric acid to maintain it.
This medicine is usually available in the form of dosage which is available in tablets.
Precautions Before Using
There are some precautions you should take before taking any medicines. This must include a discussion between you and your doctor about what symptoms you are facing at the moment, which medicines to buy, and all changes you are observing. Moreover, if you have any medical history, you have to talk about it to the doctor you are consulting.
Allergies
You must tell your doctor if you are having or had any kind of allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines too. Tell them if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.
Pediatric
There is no confirmed research performed on the relationship of age to the effects of febuxostat in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No particular research has demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of febuxostat in elderly people. But elderly patients are more sensitive because their bodies sometimes cannot accept the real medication purpose and just cause side effects in comparison to younger adults.
Breastfeeding
There are not enough studies on women to determine the harm to the baby of taking this drug while nursing. Before using this drug while nursing, consider the possible advantages against the potential hazards.
Drug Interactions
Febuxostat is also a kind of drug and taking one type of drug with any other without any consultation can cause dangerous risks to the human body. When you are taking this medicine, your health care professionals under whose consultancy you are curing your disease must know that you are taking other medicines.
Using this particular drug with any other medicines is not recommended
-Azathioprine
-Mercaptopurine
Using this medicine with any of the medicine above mentioned can increase the risk of certain side effects.
Other medical problems
Any type of other medical problem can also affect the use of this medicine. This is why it is important to tell your doctor if you have any medical problems or any history like:
- Brain or blood vessel disease or
- Diabetes
- Heart disease, history of. May increase the risk for more side effects.
- Cancer
- Lesch-Nyhan syndrome – it is an inherited condition that causes too much uric acid in the blood
- Organ transplant
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Any kind of kidney disease
- Liver disease
Proper usage
Any medication should be taken according to the dosages recommended by your doctor if it is to be used properly. Observe your doctor’s instructions or the label’s instructions. If you are altering it entirely on your own or are not taking the dosage as advised by your doctor, to whom you have disclosed your medical condition, it is extremely harmful.
The amount of medicine that you take completely depends on the strength of the medicine and the capacity of your body.
For oral dosage form which is tablets:
For treatment of hyperuricemia:
-adults – at first, 40 milligrams or 80 mg one time in a day.
-children- use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Side effects
There are several side effects, as this medicine sometimes can cause unwanted effects, some can be normal and some can be severe. One should consult a doctor if they need medical attention.
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- black, tarry stools
- bloody nose
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- chills
- cloudy urine
- confusion
- cough
- dark urine
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- diarrhea
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficulty with moving
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fainting
- erratic, hammering, rapid, or quick heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of fullness
- fever
- gaseous abdominal or stomach pain
- a general feeling of tiredness and weakness
- headache
- heavier menstrual periods
- inability to speak
- increase in heart rate
- increased thirst
- itching, skin rash
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- a significant hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, neck, hands, legs, or genitalia.
- lightheadedness
- loss of appetite
- loss of bladder control
- muscle aching or cramping
- nausea
- nervousness
- pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- pounding in the ears
- rapid breathing
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- diarrhea
- difficulty with swallowing
- hives
- hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- muscle cramps or spasms
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes