Uloric medication for gout could cause an increased risk of heart-related death, according to a warning from the FDA.

A recent study compared Uloric (febuxostat) with allopurinol, which is sold under the brand names of Zyloprim and Aloprim.

Results indicated an increased risk of heart-related deaths and an increased risk of death from all causes in patients taking Uloric. Other serious adverse health issues related to consumption of Uloric medication include non-deadly heart attacks, non-deadly strokes, and cardiac ischemia. The latter occurs when the blood flow to the heart is reduced, depriving it of oxygen. Cardiac ischemia requires urgent surgery.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.’s Uloric medication was FDA-approved in 2009 and was the first new gout medication on the market in 40 years.

Takeda Allegedly Hid Uloric Medication Risks

One of Takeda’s former safety consultants blew the whistle on the pharmaceutical giant over Uloric, indicating dangerous side effects and potentially fatal drug interactions were kept from doctors, patients and the FDA.

The former employee said Takeda knew Uloric medication could cause life-threatening conditions, including heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding, kidney failure, bone marrow failure, liver failure, psychotic behavior and severe rashes. None of those issues were disclosed by the drug company, allegedly to prevent a delay in getting the Uloric on the market.

Patients taking methadone, warfarin, Imuran or digoxin should be aware of a potentially fatal interaction with Uloric.

A reason Uloric and methadone can become a dangerous combination is because the two drugs share the same metabolizing enzyme. At least one fatal overdose has been reported because when Uloric and methadone are combined, the metabolizing enzyme remains active for an extended and dangerous length of time.

What is Gout?

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the blood. Excess uric acid crystallizes and settles into the joints, resulting in swelling, redness and pain. Uloric medication works by dissolving uric acid crystals that cause gout.

Most often, gout affects only one joint at a time, most often the big toe. Other commonly affected areas are the lesser toe joints, the ankle and the knee.

Nearly four percent of the U.S. adult population suffers from gout. Men and obese adults are most likely to develop gout attacks, which have been linked to a diet rich in purines and consumption of alcohol. Purine-rich foods include red meat, sardines, trout and tuna.

Patients who take diuretics to reduce water retention and those who eat or drink foods and liquids high in fructose sugars also tend to be at higher risk of gout.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, gout is associated with a greater risk of kidney stones, diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Kidney stones affect one out of five patients with gout because kidney stones consist of uric acid crystals, but they are deposited in the kidneys and block the urinary tract instead of settle into the joints.

If you have experienced cardiovascular events while taking Uloric medication, you could benefit from speaking with a lawyer regarding your legal options.