Febuxostat Usage

Febuxostat is used in the treatment of gout.

How Febuxostat works

Febuxostat is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It works by decreasing blood uric acid, which is the chemical that causes gout.

Common side effects of Febuxostat

Increased liver enzymes, Diarrhoea, Headache, Nausea, Skin rash

Expert advice for Febuxostat

• Your doctor has prescribed Febuxostat to reduce episodes of gout attack.
• Take Febuxostat at the same time every day, with or without food.
• Take plenty of fluids (2-3 litres) daily while on Febuxostat.
• Notify your doctor if you develop a rash. This could be a sign of allergy and should go away on discontinuing Febuxostat.
• To ensure that Febuxostat is working, you may have to undergo blood tests regularly.
• When you first start taking Febuxostat, you might have more gout attacks. Do not stop Febuxostat on having an acute attack of gout as that could make an attack worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. Can I take Febuxostat with rosuvastatin?
Rosuvastatin can be taken with Febuxostat. Rosuvastatin is used to lower bad cholesterol and Febuxostat is used to lower uric acid levels in patients with gout. Many patients of high cholesterol levels also have high uric acid levels. There are no human studies available on this interaction. However, animal research shows that when given together, Febuxostat can increase the blood levels of Rosuvastatin causing a higher risk of its side effects like muscle pain and muscle damage. So, a dose adjustment of Rosuvastatin may be needed when given along with Febuxostat.

Ques. Q. Does Febuxostat cause frequent urination?
Febuxostat is not known to cause frequent urination. However, if you experience any such symptom while using the drug, consult your doctor.

Ques. Q. How does Febuxostat work for the treatment of gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis in which uric acid levels are very high in the blood and they get deposited in the joints causing swelling, redness and sudden pain in these joints. Febuxostat works by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase involved in the synthesis of uric acid and hence decreases the level of uric acid in the blood.

Ques. Q. Is Febuxostat a steroid?
No, Febuxostat is not a steroid. It is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and decreases the serum uric acid levels.

Ques. Q. Is Febuxostat useful in lowering the triglyceride levels?
Febuxostat is not indicated for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusive evidence showing the drug lowering triglyceride levels is lacking.

Ques. Q. How long does Febuxostat take to work?
After oral intake, the peak plasma concentration of Febuxostat is achieved between 1 to 1.5 hours. However, it may take a few days to weeks to show its effect and you can experience gout attacks during this time. Continue to take your medicine during this time as with continuous use these attacks would decrease.

Ques. Q. Is Febuxostat an over the counter product?
Febuxostat is not an over the counter product. It is a prescription medicine and is available as per the doctor's advice.

Ques. Q. Is Febuxostat safe to use for a long time?
Studies have shown that Febuxostat is safe for long-term use. However, it should be taken only for the duration as per the doctor's advice.

Ques. Q. Can Febuxostat be used for the treatment of heart failure?
Febuxostat is not indicated for the treatment of heart failure. However, high uric acid levels is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and the benefit of urate-lowering therapy for cardiac diseases is being explored.

Ques. Q. Is Febuxostat useful for treating chronic kidney disease?
Febuxostat is not indicated for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. However, it can be safely used in patients with mild to moderate renal failure for lowering uric acid levels. Safety of the drug in severe renal failure is not established.

Ques. Q. Can I use Febuxostat for cancer?
Febuxostat is not used for the treatment of cancer. However, patients with malignant cancer when given anti-cancer drugs, experience a serious condition known as tumor lysis syndrome characterized by increased potassium, phosphate and uric acid levels in the blood due to the killing of cancer cells and this can lead to acute kidney injury, cardiac arrhythmia, and seizures. Febuxostat helps in this condition by lowering the uric acid levels and preventing further complications.

Ques. Q. Can I take Febuxostat with allopurinol?
Both Febuxostat and allopurinol are uric acid lowering agents and work in a similar way. So, using both the two medicines together may not be very beneficial and can increase the risk of side effects. However, there have been studies where Febuxostat when used with allopurinol in patients with refractory gout, was quite effective in providing relief. So, a combined use would be best decided by your treating doctor depending on your condition.

Ques. Q. Is Febuxostat useful for treating kidney stones?
Febuxostat is not indicated in the treatment of kidney stones. However, some studies show that high renal uric acid excretion may precipitate the formation of calcium stones in the kidney and hence, suggest Febuxostat may have a role in the reduction of stone formation.

Ques. Q. Can I take Febuxostat with colchicine?
Febuxostat can be taken with colchicine. In the initial few days of starting Febuxostat, patients may experience an increase in gout attacks because of the movement of uric acid and colchicine and painkillers are given to these patients for the relief of pain and inflammation.

Ques. Q. Can I take Febuxostat with azathioprine?
Febuxostat should not be taken with azathioprine. Taking both the medicines together will increase the levels of azathioprine and can cause toxicity.

Ques. Q. Can I take Febuxostat with antibiotics?
Febuxostat can generally be taken safely together with antibiotics. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor about the right antibiotic therapy for your condition while you are also taking Febuxostat.

Ques. Q. What are the contraindications to the use of Febuxostat?
Use of Febuxostat is contraindicated in patients being treated with azathioprine, mercaptopurine, theophylline, and in patients who develop hypersensitivity to the drug.