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What Is Febuxostat?

Febuxostat is a prescription medicine that lowers uric acid levels in adults with gout. It blocks an enzyme called xanthine oxidase, which helps the body make uric acid. It is used when allopurinol has not worked adequately, cannot be tolerated, or is not advisable.

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What Is Febuxostat?

Febuxostat is a prescription medicine that lowers uric acid levels in adults with gout. It blocks an enzyme called xanthine oxidase, which helps the body make uric acid. It is used when allopurinol has not worked adequately, cannot be tolerated, or is not advisable.

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What Is Febuxostat Used For?

Febuxostat manages high uric acid levels over time in adults with gout. Lowering uric acid can help prevent new crystal deposits and future gout attacks. It is not recommended for people who have high uric acid without symptoms of gout.

How Does Febuxostat Work?

The body makes uric acid as it breaks down substances called purines. Febuxostat inhibits xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in uric acid production. A clinician uses blood tests to check whether the uric acid level has fallen enough.

How Is Febuxostat Taken?

Febuxostat is a tablet taken once daily, with or without food. Gout attacks can become more frequent when treatment first begins as uric acid levels change. A clinician may prescribe colchicine or an anti-inflammatory medicine during this period.

What Are the Risks and Precautions?

Febuxostat has a boxed warning after a study found more cardiovascular deaths among treated gout patients with established cardiovascular disease than among those taking allopurinol. Liver problems and serious skin reactions are also possible. It must not be taken with azathioprine or mercaptopurine due to a dangerous interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Febuxostat

Does febuxostat relieve an active gout attack?

No. It lowers uric acid over time. A clinician can recommend separate treatment for the pain and inflammation of an attack.

Why might gout attacks increase when treatment starts?

Changing uric acid levels can disturb existing crystal deposits and trigger attacks. Preventive treatment during the early months can reduce this risk.

Why is febuxostat usually considered after allopurinol?

Its U.S. labeling restricts use to patients whose response to allopurinol is inadequate, who cannot tolerate it, or for whom it is not advisable. The label also carries a warning about cardiovascular death.

Can febuxostat be taken with azathioprine?

No. Combining them can raise levels of a toxic metabolite. Febuxostat is also contraindicated with mercaptopurine.

References

Febuxostat. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a609020.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Febuxostat. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544239/. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Febuxostat (oral route) - Side effects & dosage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/febuxostat-oral-route/description/drg-20074780. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

FEBUXOSTAT tablet, film coated. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?audience=consumer&setid=d1969ea8-5178-42ee-97fc-feee8595e677. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

ULORIC- febuxostat tablet. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=54de10ef-fe5f-4930-b91d-6bbb04c664bd. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.