Uloric (Febuxostat) is used to treat gout. Gout is a type of arthritis in which uric acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, builds up in the joints and causes sudden attacks of redness, swelling, pain, and heat in one or more joints. Febuxostat is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of uric acid that is made in the body. Febuxostat is used to prevent gout attacks but not to treat them once they occur. Febuxostat (Generic) is available for purchase. 

Febuxostat comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take febuxostat at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take febuxostat exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may increase your dose of febuxostat after 2 weeks if a laboratory test shows that you still have too much uric acid in your blood. It may take several months before febuxostat begins to prevent gout attacks. Febuxostat may increase the number of gout attacks during the first few months of your treatment. Your doctor may prescribe another medication such as colchicine (Colcyrs, Mitigare) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to prevent gout attacks during the first 6 months of your treatment. Continue to take febuxostat even if you have gout attacks during your early treatment. Febuxostat controls gout but does not cure it. Continue to take febuxostat even if you feel well. Do not stop taking febuxostat without talking to your doctor. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Before taking febuxostat,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to febuxostat, allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in febuxostat tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you are taking azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) or mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take febuxostat if you are taking one or more of these medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, others) or cancer chemotherapy medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had chest pain; an organ transplant; cancer; a stroke; Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (an inherited disease that causes high levels of uric acid in the blood, joint pain, and problems with motion and behavior); or heart, kidney, or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking febuxostat, call your doctor.

Febuxostat may cause side effects including: 

• nausea
• joint pain

Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or does not go away. Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash; skin redness or pain; swelling or blistering of lips, eyes or mouth; skin peeling; or fever and other flu-like symptoms
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• yellow eyes or skin; dark urine; or pain or discomfort in right upper stomach area

Febuxostat may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Q: Why is Uloric prescribed?

A: Uloric is used to keep uric acid levels from getting too high in people with gout

Q: Does Uloric have a generic alternative?

A: Febuxostat (Generic) is also available for purchase. 

Q: What if I miss a dose of Advair Uloric?

A: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Q: How should I store this medication?

A: Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from sunlight, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).