Uxenta Special Precautions

Gout Flares: After initiation of febuxostat, an increase in gout flares is frequently observed. This increase is due to reduction in serum uric acid levels, resulting in mobilization of urate from tissue deposits. In order to prevent gout flares when febuxostat tablets are initiated, concurrent prophylactic treatment with an NSAID or colchicine is recommended.
Hepatic Failure: There have been post-marketing cases of fatal and nonfatal hepatic failure in patients taking febuxostat, although the reports contain insufficient information necessary to establish the probable cause. Obtain a liver test panel (serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin) as a baseline before initiating febuxostat tablets.
Measure liver tests promptly in patients who report symptoms that may indicate liver injury, including fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine or jaundice. If the patient is found to have abnormal liver tests (ALT greater than three times the upper limit of the reference range), febuxostat tablets treatment should be interrupted and investigation done to establish the probable cause. Febuxostat tablets should not be restarted in these patients without another explanation for the liver test abnormalities.
Patients who have serum ALT greater than three times the reference range with serum total bilirubin greater than two times the reference range without alternative etiologies are at risk for severe drug-induced liver injury and should not be restarted on febuxostat tablets. For patients with lesser elevations of serum ALT or bilirubin and with an alternate probable cause, treatment with febuxostat tablets can be used with caution.
Serious Skin and Hypersensitivity Reactions: Post-marketing reports: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported in patients taking febuxostat tablets. Discontinue febuxostat if serious skin reactions are suspected. Many of these patients had reported previous similar skin reactions to allopurinol. Febuxostat tablets should be used with caution in these patients.
Secondary Hyperuricemia: Febuxostat tablets are not recommended for use in patients whom the rate of urate formation is greatly increased (e.g., malignant disease and its treatment, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome). The concentration of xanthine in urine could, in rare cases, rise sufficiently to allow deposition in the urinary tract.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: Somnolence, dizziness, paresthesia and blurred vision have been reported with the use of febuxostat. Patients should exercise caution before driving, using machinery or participating in dangerous activities until they are reasonably certain that febuxostat does not adversely affect performance.