Febuxostat

Febuxostat for Gout

Febuxostat (Zurig) is a form of medication that is given to help treat gout. This is a type of very serious and painful arthritis that tends to get worse each time it occurs. The culprit is a build up of uric acid that forms very sharp crystals in areas of the body. The joints can flare up and make it very hard for someone to walk or to have that area of the foot touched.

While all joints in the body can be affected by joint it is almost always those of the legs and feet that are affected. It is very important to understand that Febuxostat can be taken daily in an effort to offset gout attacks. It doesn’t do any good to take it once the flare up has occurred. It can take 10 days or so for gout to go away and that is a long time to be in pain.

Febuxostat Dosage

Febuxostat is offered as a tablet and it should be taken each morning. It can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. It is a good idea to try to take this medication at the same time every day. Don’t skip doses and never take more of that you have been prescribed. Your doctor will schedule you for routine blood work to test the amount of uric acid in the body.

It may be necessary to alter the dose of Febuxostat if those levels of uric acid remain high. It is important to understand that a person may have to take this medication for a couple of months before the overall value of it helping to prevent gout attacks is seen. It is often taken along with some type of anti inflammatory medication for at least the first 6 months.

Febuxostat Precautions

Gout will continue to get worse if it isn’t controlled. There is no cure for any type of arthritis including gout. It is very important to discuss with your doctor all other products you use including supplements, those you buy from retailer shelves, and any you have a prescription for.

Febuxostat Side Effects

There are some side effects that may occur when you begin to use Febuxostat. They include nausea, headaches, and stiff joints. If you experience difficulty talking, changes in breathing, chest pain, or a rash you will want to seek immediate medical care.