febuxostat magnesium at a glance
Medicine class
Selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Licensed role
Urate lowering in adults with gout or tophi caused by urate deposition
Taking the tablet
Swallow by mouth, with or without food
Early gout flares
Flares can temporarily become more frequent when uric acid starts falling
What is febuxostat magnesium used for?
Licensed for adults with chronic hyperuricaemia where urate deposition has occurred.
Management of gout, including gouty arthritis or tophi
How does febuxostat magnesium work?
Xanthine oxidase helps convert purines into uric acid. Febuxostat blocks this enzyme, reducing blood uric acid and helping prevent further urate-crystal deposition.
febuxostat magnesium preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 80 mg, 120 mg
How to take febuxostat magnesium
Take the film-coated tablet by mouth exactly as prescribed. It can be taken with or without food and without regard to antacid use.
Ask the prescriber or pharmacist before changing or stopping treatment.
If dizziness, sleepiness or blurred vision occurs, do not drive or operate machinery until it resolves.
febuxostat magnesium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Gout flares
- Abnormal liver-test results
- Diarrhoea or nausea
- Headache or dizziness
- Rash or itching
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle, joint or limb pain
- Swelling caused by fluid retention
- Fatigue
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse or other signs of anaphylaxis
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, especially involving the mouth, genitals or eyes
- Rash with fever, swollen glands or signs of liver or kidney involvement
febuxostat magnesium in pregnancy
Pregnancy information is very limited and the potential risk is unknown. The selected product should not be used during pregnancy; discuss pregnancy or pregnancy plans with the prescriber.
febuxostat magnesium while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether febuxostat enters human milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding; an individual treatment and feeding plan is needed.
febuxostat magnesium interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products.
Azathioprine
Febuxostat can greatly increase exposure and cause severe bone-marrow toxicity. Combined use is not recommended and requires specialist management if unavoidable.
Mercaptopurine
Febuxostat can greatly increase exposure and cause severe bone-marrow toxicity. Combined use is not recommended and requires specialist management if unavoidable.
Potent UGT enzyme inducers
These may increase febuxostat metabolism and reduce its effectiveness, so serum urate may need reassessment.
Common questions about febuxostat magnesium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is febuxostat magnesium a magnesium supplement?
No. Magnesium is part of the salt formulation; febuxostat inhibits xanthine oxidase and lowers uric acid.
Does it treat pain during an acute gout attack?
No. It lowers uric acid and is not a painkiller for an acute attack.
Why can gout worsen after starting it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.