Medical Information

Febuxostat is a uric acid lowering drug, and its use should focus on preventing cardiovascular risks, liver toxicity, and acute gout attacks. The following sub items are provided for clinical reference.

1、 Cardiovascular risk

Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina) need to fully evaluate the benefits and risks before medication.

If chest pain, difficulty breathing, palpitations, or limb edema occur during treatment, immediate medical evaluation should be sought.

It is recommended to regularly monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and those with hypertension or heart failure should be more cautious.

2、 Hepatotoxicity

Regular liver function tests (ALT, AST, total bilirubin) should be conducted before and during medication.

If there are signs of liver damage such as fatigue, decreased appetite, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, jaundice, or darkened urine color, the medication should be stopped immediately and liver function should be checked.

Mild elevation of liver enzymes can continue to be observed, but if it continues to rise or exceeds the normal upper limit by three times, the medication should be discontinued.

3、 Prevention of acute gout attacks

After starting to take febuxostat, a rapid decrease in blood uric acid levels may trigger acute attacks of gout.

It is recommended to start using a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or colchicine to prevent attacks, which should last for at least 1-2 months.

If joint redness, swelling, heat and pain occur during medication, uric acid lowering treatment should not be interrupted, and acute inflammation should be treated at the same time.

For those with a history of gout stones or frequent attacks, the preventive treatment time can be appropriately extended.