febuxostat hemihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Main role
Long-term lowering of uric acid where urate deposition has occurred
Administration
Taken by mouth, with or without food
Early gout flares
Flares can temporarily become more frequent after treatment begins
What is febuxostat hemihydrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults for:
Chronic hyperuricaemia where urate deposition has occurred, including a history or presence of tophi or gouty arthritis.
Prevention and treatment of hyperuricaemia during chemotherapy for haematological malignancies in people at intermediate to high risk of tumour lysis syndrome.
How does febuxostat hemihydrate work?
Febuxostat selectively inhibits xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in uric acid formation. This lowers uric acid and helps prevent further urate crystal deposition.
febuxostat hemihydrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 80 mg, 120 mg
How to take febuxostat hemihydrate
Swallow the tablet by mouth as prescribed, with or without food. Do not stop it solely because a gout flare occurs after starting; contact the prescriber if advice is needed.
Follow the dispensing label and prescriber's instructions.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, numbness or tingling occurs.
febuxostat hemihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Gout flares, particularly early in treatment
- Diarrhoea or nausea
- Headache or dizziness
- Rash or itching
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- Muscle, joint or limb pain
- Swelling or fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Get urgent medical advice
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, especially with mouth, eye or genital sores
- Facial swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse or other signs of anaphylaxis
- Rash with fever, swollen glands or possible liver or kidney involvement
- Jaundice or other symptoms suggesting significant liver injury
febuxostat hemihydrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is very limited and potential fetal risk is uncertain. UK product information states that febuxostat should not be used during pregnancy. Discuss pregnancy or plans to conceive promptly with the prescriber.
febuxostat hemihydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether febuxostat enters human breast milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. UK product information states that it should not be used while breastfeeding; discuss alternatives with the prescriber.
febuxostat hemihydrate interactions
A medication review is important, particularly for:
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine
Febuxostat can greatly increase exposure and cause severe bone-marrow toxicity. Combined use is generally not recommended and requires specialist management if unavoidable.
Cytotoxic chemotherapy
Interactions with individual chemotherapy medicines have not been fully studied and should be managed by the oncology team.
Common questions about febuxostat hemihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is febuxostat hemihydrate used to treat an active gout attack?
It lowers uric acid for long-term control rather than directly relieving an active attack's pain and inflammation.
Should it be stopped during a gout flare?
A flare alone is not usually a reason to stop it; the flare can be managed separately. Seek prescriber advice if uncertain.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.