Uloric stroke symptoms have been reported within the patient population and medical community, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning that the gout medication had a higher risk of cardiac events like heart attack and even cardiac deaths than previously thought. Any signs of Uloric stroke symptoms should be taken seriously, and emergency care will be needed to minimize permanent brain damage or death.

In recent communications, the FDA states that Uloric stroke symptoms can be caused by cardiac events like heart attacks, nonfatal stroke, and cardiac ischemia. These cardiac events were linked to Uloric (febuxostat), after the FDA analyzed a post market data concerning the safety of the medication.

Uloric is a popular gout treatment medication that works by inhibiting the production of uric acid and reducing levels in the blood. Gout is often described as severe joint pain in the feet, with patients describing the pain as a burning sensation in their feet or toes.

Even though millions of patients use the gout medication on a regular basis, the recent warnings from the FDA regarding potential complications from the drug has spurred major concern over Uloric stroke symptoms.

There were two safety communications released on Nov. 15, 2017. In the first letter, the FDA stated that Uloric could increase the risks of certain cardiac events. A second letter stated that the FDA would be evaluating all deaths potentially linked to Uloric.

Overview of Uloric Cardiac Complications

When Uloric was approved by the FDA in 2009, health officials were concerned because clinical trials showed an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac attack deaths.

These potential problems were included on the drug’s warning label. The FDA further required Takeda Pharmaceuticals to perform a post market study to properly evaluate the benefit to risk ratio of the medication. Chicago area-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals had performed the clinical study that observed 6,000 gout patients.

Half of the patients were prescribed Uloric and the other half were prescribed allopurinol, with researchers observing and comparing the side effects of both medications. The study showed Uloric patients experienced a higher likelihood of nonfatal stroke, heart attack, and cardiac ischemia, with the patients needing emergency surgery.

Cardiac ischemia occurs when there is a decrease in blood supply to the heart, which requires prompt surgery to prevent serious damage. In addition, patients should be vigilant against Uloric stroke symptoms including temporary weakness of an arm or leg and could induce permanent paralysis in one side of the body.

A stroke occurs when a part of the brain is cut off from blood supply, with symptoms varying depending on the part of the brain affected. Typically stroke impacts the patient’s ability to move and speak, and can even induce paralysis and death.

Given how serious this condition is, patients who experience Uloric stroke symptoms should seek emergency medical assistance immediately. At this point, the FDA advises prescribing physicians to consider alternative medications for gout treatment and encourages patients to talk to their doctors if they are concerned about potential Uloric cardiac events.