Febuxostat: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Febuxostat is a prescription medicine for the long-term lowering of uric acid in adults with gout. It belongs to the xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Its label carries a boxed warning about a higher risk of death from heart and blood vessel disease in people with existing heart disease. It should only be started or stopped on a doctor's advice.
Also known as: Febuxostat tablet, Febuxostat 40 mg, Febuxostat 80 mg, Uloric, Adenuric, Febutaz
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Febuxostat work?
Febuxostat blocks an enzyme called xanthine oxidase, which the body needs to make uric acid. With less uric acid made, the level in the blood falls.
How to take Febuxostat
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Febuxostat is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Your doctor decides the dose and how long you need it.
Side effects of Febuxostat
Most people take febuxostat without serious problems. Some side effects are mild, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Gout attacks, especially in the first months
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- Nausea or diarrhoea
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Swelling of the legs or feet
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Chest pain, breathlessness, weakness on one side or trouble speaking. Call 112 or get emergency help immediately
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing. Get medical help immediately
- A widespread skin rash with blisters, peeling or fever
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe tiredness
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking febuxostat, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to febuxostat or any ingredient of the tablet
- Taking azathioprine or mercaptopurine
- Boxed warning: in a large study, febuxostat was linked to a higher risk of death from heart and blood vessel causes than allopurinol in people with gout and existing heart disease. Tell your doctor about any heart or stroke history
- Liver disease: liver failure has been reported; your doctor may check liver tests
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not enough is known; ask your doctor
- Not for high uric acid that causes no symptoms
Medicines and things that interact with Febuxostat
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies and medicines bought over the counter.
- Azathioprine and mercaptopurine: must not be taken with febuxostat
- Theophylline: ask your doctor
- NSAIDs or colchicine: sometimes prescribed for a few months at the start to prevent attacks; take only as directed
If someone takes too much
One extra tablet by mistake is unlikely to be serious, but if someone has taken much more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the pack with you.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine. Single-ingredient febuxostat is not known to be on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Fixed-dose combinations that contain febuxostat with other medicines may be treated differently, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Febuxostat belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Febuxostat
These medicines sold in India contain Febuxostat. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Febutaz 40 · 40 mg tablet
What is Febuxostat used for?
Medicines that contain Febuxostat are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Febuxostat.
Common questions
What is febuxostat used for?
It is used for long-term control of high uric acid in adults with gout, usually when allopurinol has not worked well enough or cannot be used. It does not relieve the pain of an attack. A doctor decides whether it suits you.
Does febuxostat affect the heart?
Its label carries a boxed warning: in a large study of people with gout and existing heart disease, it was linked to a higher risk of death from heart and blood vessel causes than allopurinol. Tell your doctor about any heart history, and do not stop it on your own.
Why did my gout get worse after starting febuxostat?
Attacks are common in the first months as uric acid levels change. Do not stop on your own. Tell your doctor, who may add medicine to help prevent attacks.
Can febuxostat be taken with azathioprine?
No. It must not be taken with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, because their levels in the body can rise too far. Tell every doctor what you take.
Is Febutaz the same as febuxostat?
Febutaz is a brand name. The tablet contains febuxostat, 40 mg per tablet. Check the ingredient list and strength on the pack, and ask your doctor before switching products.
Sources
- Febuxostat tablets: prescribing information (Macleods Pharmaceuticals, label revised 09/2023). DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Adenuric (febuxostat): EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency
- Gout. NHS (UK)
- ATC/DDD Index: M04AA Preparations inhibiting uric acid production. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology