Febuxostat
Anti-gout Preparations · Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Indications
Chronic hyperuricaemia where urate deposition has occurred. Febuxostat is recommended as an option for chronic hyperuricaemia in gout when allopurinol is contraindicated or not tolerated. Prophylaxis and treatment of acute hyperuricaemia with initial chemotherapy for haematologic malignancies.
Dosage
Adults: 80 mg once daily, increasing to 120 mg once daily if serum uric acid >357 micro moles per litre after 2-4 wk. Prophylaxis and treatment of acute hyperuricaemia with initial chemotherapy for haematologic malignancies: 120 mg once daily, to be started 2 days before initiation of cytotoxic therapy and continued for 7-9 days, according to chemotherapy duration. Children: Not recommended.
Adverse Effects
Deranged LFTs, GI upset, headache, rash, oedema, gout flares during initial treatment.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Acute gout, ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, organ transplant recipients, conditions involving increased urate formation. Precautions: Thyroid dysfunction. When initiating therapy also give colchicine or NSAID for 6 months or more. Perform LFTs, before and periodically during treatment. Severe renal or hepatic impairment. Monitor for serious hypersensitivity reactions and advise patients to report symptoms.
Interactions
Mercaptopurine, azathioprine, theophylline, glucuronidation inducers.
Advice to Patient
Take with or without meals. It can be taken with antacids. Do not stop taking medication if you get flares. Get laboratory tests done as advised by prescriber.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: = 49%. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: Approx. 5 to 8 hours. Time to peak, plasma: 1 to 1.5 hours. Excretion: Urine (approx. 49% mostly as metabolites, 3% as unchanged drug); feces (approx. 45% mostly as metabolites, 12% as unchanged drug).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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