Uloric (febuxostat) is a medication used to treat gout in adults. Manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, it was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2009.
Uloric was designed to lower uric acid levels, thus decreasing the likelihood of gout. It is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It’s important to note there are very few medicines to treat gout.
In 2019, only ten years after it was first approved, the FDA issued a Boxed Warning for Uloric because there is an increased risk of death while taking the medication.
The FDA said it would be limiting the approved use of Uloric only to patients who experience severe side effects to the alternative gout medication, allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim).
Have you or someone you love experienced an adverse reaction to Uloric (febuxostat)? Read more to find out if a Uloric lawsuit is right for you.
Gout treatment and causes explained
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Gout is a form of arthritis that affects nearly 8.3 adults in the United States. It is considered a gout “attack” when there are sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, swelling and tenderness in the joints. It usually occurs in the the base of the big toe.
The body naturally produces uric acid when it breaks down natural substances found in the body. Uric acid dissolves into your blood, passes through the kidneys, and then into your urine to be eliminated.
However, a gout happens because urate crystals build up in the joints and cause inflammation. This is due to high levels of uric acid in your blood.
Therefore, it’s important to consider certain factors that may increase uric acid levels in your body:
Diet: Alcohol consumption (especially beer), a heavy rotation of meat and seafood, beverages sweetened with fructose (fruit sugar) all contribute to increasing uric acid levels.
Medications: Those used to treat hypertension (thiazide diuretics) and low-dose aspring can increase uric acid levels. Anti-rejection drugs used for those who have had an organ transplant may also contribute to increased uric acid levels.
Family history of gout: You’re more likely to develop gout if members of your family have been diagnosed.
Age and sex: Women tend to have lower uric acid levels than men. However, after menopause, the levels start to compete with those found in men. Men are likely to develop gout earlier between the ages of 30 and 50.
Recent surgery or trauma: These factors have been associated with an increased risk of a gout attack.
Medical conditions: There are diseases and conditions that increase the risk of gout, those include diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart, and kidney diseases.
Obesity: Uric acid is produced more with those considered obese. Additionally, the kidneys have a harder time eliminating uric acid from the body.
Uloric test study reveals risk of death
When Uloric (febuxostat) was first approved by the FDA, it included a Warning and Precaution over possible cardiovascular events while taking the drug. The agency required Takeda Pharmaceuticals to conduct a postmarket safety clinical trial. Those details are outlined below.
This trial study included over 6,000 patients who were under treatment for gout with Uloric, or the alternative medication, allopurinol. The outcome of the trial concluded there was a combination of heart-related death, non-deadly heart attack, non-deadly stroke, and unstable angina in patients taking Uloric.
Compared to allopurinol, Uloric didn’t indicate any differences in an increased risk. However, it was when evaluating the outcomes separately that Uloric was found to increase the risk of heart-related deaths and death from all causes.
Side effects of Uloric
Below are a list of Uloric side effects that can indicate serious health risks and lead to complications if not attended to by a doctor.
- Joint pain
- Rash
- Skin redness or pain
- Blistering of the lips, eyes, mouth
- Skin peeling
- Fever, or flu-like symptoms
- Swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Dark urine
- Pain or discomfort in upper right stomach area
Consult your doctor IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness on one side of your body, dizziness, fainting, slurred speech, blurry vision, or sudden severe headaches.
Filing a Uloric lawsuit
If you or someone you love have experienced any of the devastating side effects of Uloric, including cardiovascular complications, it’s important to speak with a lawyer skilled in representing clients for drug injury lawsuits.
A law firm that has experience in this area can help determine the best course of action and protect your rights. They will make every attempt to make sure the drug manufacturer is held legally liable for your injuries, and that you receive financial compensation.
While you cannot go back in time and undo the devastating impact this medication has had on your life, you may be able to get compensation to help with medical bills and other expenses you incur as a result of the side effects associated with Uloric.
To contact a compassionate lawyer handling these lawsuits, please fill out the form below for a Free Case Evaluation.