Uloric
® (
febuxostat) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of gout. It is the first new medication approved for gout in the past 40 years.
Who Makes This Medication?
Uloric is made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
Uloric works by lowering uric acid levels. This helps to treat gout, as gout is caused when the levels of uric acid become so high that uric acid crystals form inside the joint. The medication lowers uric acid levels by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, an enzyme responsible for producing uric acid in the body. By inhibiting xanthine oxidase, Uloric slows down the rate at which the body produces uric acid.
Uloric works well for preventing gout attacks, but it is not very effective for treating a gout attack that is already occurring. In fact, sometimes it temporarily seems to make gout worse at first. For these reasons, Uloric is usually taken along with other
gout medications, at least temporarily.
Studies have consistently shown that Uloric lowers uric acid levels in the blood more effectively than
allopurinol (
Zyloprim®), a similar medication that has been used to treat gout for decades. For instance, one study looked at the percentage of people who were able to lower their uric acid levels to 6 mg/dL or lower. As many as 74 percent of people taking Uloric 80 mg achieved this goal, compared to just 36 percent of people who were taking allopurinol.
When and How to Take Uloric
Some general considerations include the following:
- This medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth once a day.
- It does not matter if you take it with food or on an empty stomach. If the medication seems to bother your stomach, try taking it with a little food.
- Make sure to take this medication at the same time each day to keep an even level of the medication in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of Uloric that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to Uloric
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, Uloric can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Uloric include, but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Joint pain
- Gout flares
- Liver problems.
(Click Uloric Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Uloric?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is unknown what exactly to expect from an overdose. If you happen to overdose on this medication, seek immediate medical attention.
Uloric tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, in an upright position. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Uloric as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Uloric.
Uloric tablets come in the following strengths:
- Uloric 40 mg
- Uloric 80 mg.
Generic Availability of Uloric
This medication is not available in generic form
(see Generic Uloric).
