According to scientific data, Uloric medication side effects may include heart-related complications including heart attack, stroke, cardiac ischemia, and cardiac death.

Uloric is a medication used to treat gout. Gout is a form of arthritis associated with a buildup of uric acid in the joints, often affecting the toes and fingers. Uric acid is a natural byproduct of cellular processes but gout patients are unable to process uric acid out of the body through the kidneys. Instead, the excess uric acid builds up in in the body and can form sharp, needle-like crystals.

This condition does not resemble the more common rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by pain in the major joints. Instead, patients with gout often experience severe inflammation, intense joint pain, lingering discomfort, inflammation, redness, and limited range of motion. Some individuals find that they can sufficiently manage their gout symptoms through lifestyle changes and other inflammation management. However, other patients may need to take a medication to manage their condition.

One medication available for the management of gout is Uloric. Developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Uloric was developed as a safer alternative to allopurinol. Allopurinol was a popular gout medication before it was learned that the drug can be associated with kidney problems and allergic reactions.

However, Uloric medication side effects may make the drug as dangerous as allopurinol. After clinical trials showed that Uloric was associated with an increased risk of heart-related death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed Takeda to conduct a full study.

The study analyzed 6,000 gout patients taking either Uloric or allopurinol to treat their arthritis. In November 2017, the FDA reviewed the results of the clinical trial and informed the public that “the primary outcome was a combination of heart-related death, non-deadly heart attack, non-deadly stroke, and a condition of inadequate blood supply to the heart requiring urgent surgery”.

Any of the listed Uloric medication side effects could be extremely dangerous. By failing to warn consumers of the risk, Takeda reportedly prevents them from taking the necessary steps in protecting from a heart attack or stroke. The lack of information may also prevent patients from recognizing the warning signs for cardiac ischemia, the last of the listed Uloric medication side effects.

Although the potential for Uloric medication side effects may be terrifying, the FDA urges all patients to consult with their doctors before stopping Uloric.

“Health care professionals should consider this safety information when deciding whether to prescribe or continue patients on febuxostat,” the FDA said in their safety warning. “Patients should talk to your healthcare professionals if you have any questions or concerns. Do not stop taking your medicine without first consulting with your healthcare professional.”

Following the announcement, many consumers were irate with Takeda for allegedly failing to warn about dangerous Uloric medication side effects including cardiac death. Some claim that Takeda knew about the risks but choose not to warn consumers.

These claims are in part supported by a 2012 whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee. The former Takeda safety consultant alleged that the company concealed information regarding Uloric medication side effects and falsified results in order to downplay the risk of cardiac death.