More and more patients are reportedly suffering from Uloric heart deaths after using the popular gout medication from Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Basics of Uloric

More than 8 million Americans suffer from gout, a type of arthritis caused by uric acid buildup. Gout symptoms include redness, swelling, and joint pain. In order to treat gout, medications like Uloric focus on lowering the uric acid levels in the patient’s blood.

Uloric (also known by its generic name, febuxostat) is a gout medication manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Uloric was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009. In the near-decade since its introduction to the market, Uloric has become one of the leading gout treatment options available.

Despite its obvious popularity, Uloric has been linked with some serious complications, including an increased risk of Uloric heart deaths.

Febuxostat Clinical Trial

According to a recent study of 6,000 gout patients known as the CARES trial, which compared febuxostat users with allopurinol users, febuxostat users increased their risk of heart-related death and death from all causes. Indeed, Uloric heart deaths were more common than those experienced by allopurinol users (which included both Zyloprim and Aloprim). The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

This study was part of a clinical trial conducted by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, which had been conducted over the course of seven years. According to the study’s lead author, the results of the study regarding Uloric heart deaths were “entirely unexpected.” Notably, patients that stopped taking febuxostat upon dropping out of the trial early decreased their elevated risk of Uloric heart deaths.

Besides a heightened risk of Uloric heart deaths, the study also showed that patients who took Uloric also suffered from side effects like heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac ischemia.

FDA Issues Uloric Heart Deaths Warning

The FDA issued a warning regarding the risk of Uloric heart deaths based on the findings of the recent study in November 2017.

“Health care professionals should consider this safety information when deciding whether to prescribe or continue patients on febuxostat,” read the FDA’s alert. “Patients should talk to your health care professionals if you have any questions or concerns. Do not stop taking your medicine without first consulting your health care professional.”

If you or someone love has suffered from Uloric side effects or Uloric heart deaths, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Though filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by Uloric heart complications, or bring a loved one back to life, it can at least help to alleviate some of the financial burden caused by medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.