Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Febuxostat belongs to a class of medicines called xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It is used for reducing uric acid (also known as urate) levels, stopping crystal formation and dissolving crystals for excretion. Over time, it reduces gout flares and its associated symptoms. Keeping uric acid levels sufficiently low for a long enough period can also shrink tophi (bumps containing urate deposits at the joints).

How should I take or use this medication?

• The tablets can be taken with or without food.
• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Continue to take Febuxostat as prescribed even when you are not experiencing a gout flare or attack.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. Febuxostat may interact with other medicine or supplement that you are taking
• You have heart, kidney, liver or thyroid problems

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Edema (localized swelling due to retention of fluids in tissues)
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain

Majority of these effects tend to resolve by themselves.

• Increase gout flare when you first start taking Febuxostat
  • To prevent this, your doctor may prescribe other medicines, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or Colchicine with Febuxostat for the first 6 months.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately

• Liver problems - possible symptoms include dark urine, feeling tired, lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, light-coloured stools, vomiting, or yellow skin or eyes
• Blood clot in the vessels - possible symptoms include severe chest pain with extreme sweating, severe headache, severe giddiness, passing out, change in strength on different sides of the body, difficulty speaking or thinking. These suggest heart attack and stroke

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Medicines such as Azathioprine, Mercaptopurine, Pegloticase and Theophylline should not be taken together with Febuxostat as they might increase the chance of you experiencing severe side effects. Let your doctor know that you are taking Febuxostat before other medications are prescribed.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

For general waste: Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Oct 2022