Feburic (febuxostat) is used to help patients with gout manage the condition by reducing uric acid levels. Given time to work, the medication reduces the frequency and severity of gout flareups, often eliminating them entirely.

Though less common, Feburic may also be prescribed to patients undergoing cancer treatments in which a large die-off of cells is likely---such as chemotherapy---to prevent high uric acid levels from developing.

Feburic is not typically prescribed to patients with high uric acid levels who are not experiencing symptoms of gout; other medications, such as allopurinol (brand name Zyloprim) are typically preferred for non-gout patients.

What to Expect from Feburic

Patients with gout may be prescribed Feburic. It takes about two weeks from the start of treatment before significant effects begin happening; as uric acid levels in the blood are reduced, crystal deposits in tissues will begin to be mobilized. This action can cause an increase in frequency and severity of gout flareups, and can last up to six months. While not exactly fun, this does indicate the medication is working.

Gout can be notoriously painful, and Feburic does little to address pain. NSAIDs like ibuprofen may be sufficient to manage pain and inflammation during increased flareups, but if not a doctor will likely prescribe something more powerful.

After around six months gout flareups should begin to decrease in both frequency and severity, and may be entirely eliminated. Treatment typically lasts a minimum of six months and may continue for several years.

The Importance of Lifestyle Changes

In most cases lifestyle changes are also recommended along with medications. While advice will vary from patient to patient and, to some degree, according to location, in general suggested changes include:

• Cut back on purine-rich foods, such as fatty meats
• Increase intake of vitamin C
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid unnecessary stress when possible
• Stay hydrated
• Get sufficient rest

There are many resources on the internet detailing gout-friendly foods, appropriate exercises, and so forth; patients interested in lifestyle changes are encouraged to make use of them.

Lifestyle changes, if made and maintained, can eventually eliminate the need for medications to manage uric acid levels. There are, unfortunately, exceptions; some individuals, despite rigorous attention to lifestyle, still develop high uric acid and will need to depend on medications indefinitely.

Taking Feburic

In otherwise healthy adults treatment is typically similar:

• Most patients are started on 40 mg per day, taken once per day.
• Results should be evaluated after two weeks. If needed, dosage may be increased to 80 mg per day, taken once per day.
• Results should again be evaluated after two weeks. At this point, if uric acid levels are still too high, dosage may be increased to 120 mg per day. Alternatively, other medications may be tried.
• Treatment typically lasts a minimum of six months and may continue for several years if needed.

Patients taking certain other medications or who have other major medical conditions may be started on lower doses.

The active ingredient in Feburic, febuxostat, is often compared to allopurinol:

• At standard doses (80 mg or lower), febuxostat has proven more effective than allopurinol.
• At standard doses patients experienced positive results faster with febuxostat than allopurinol.
• At higher doses (greater than 80 mg per day), allopurinol has proven more effective than febuxostat.
• Allopurinol is more versatile than febuxostat; it can be used to manage uric acid levels when gout is not present.
• The medications produce different side effects; individuals who experience a disruptive side effect from one may experience no side effects from the other, and vice versa.
• Febuxostat is better tolerated by patients who have kidney problems.

Patients with gout are often started on Feburic and switched to allopurinol if 80 mg Feburic proves insufficient. Likewise allopurinol may be recommended instead if Feburic produces disruptive side effects. For most patients, however, at 80 mg or lower doses Feburic is preferred.

Note that allopurinol and Feburic are not interchangeable; allopurinol has its own dosage and administration guidelines distinct from Feburic.

Potential Complications

Taken as directed, most patients use Feburic with no issues. However, those with other medical conditions are at greater risk of experiencing more serious side effects; be sure the prescribing doctor is aware if there is a history of:

• Liver problems
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Organ transplant

Side effects from Feburic are typically mild and often stop occurring after the first few weeks of treatment. Most common are:

• Nausea
• Mild dizziness
• Mild skin rash
• Diarrhea
• Headache

The above are not cause for concern unless they become severe enough to be disruptive, in which case a doctor should be consulted. Patients experiencing severe side effects from Feburic may not experience them if switched to allopurinol.

This product should not be used while taking medications containing azathioprine or mercaptopurine.

If any concerning symptoms develop during treatment, don't be afraid to consult a doctor.