Uloric was originally approved by the FDA in 2009 to treat a type of arthritis known as gout.

According to the American Arthritis Association, this type of arthritis occurs when uric acid, a naturally occurring acid in the body, builds up in the blood. The acid then deposits sharp crystals in the joints. This excess uric acid and crystals may result in sudden attacks of redness, swelling, and pain in the joints. The disease affects approximately 4 percent of adults, including more than 8 million adults in the U.S.

Gout is a painful condition that may lead to a loss of mobility and other complications. There are only a few medications approved for the treatment of gout. However, the complications associated with Uloric may be even more severe than the side effects of gout.

What Exactly is Uloric?

The generic name of Uloric is febuxostat. This is not a first-line treatment; it is generally prescribed only for patients who for one reason or another are unable to tolerate allopurinol, which is the standard medication for gout.

Uloric was first developed by Japanese drugmaker Teijin in 1998. In addition to gout, it may also be administered to patients suffering from hyperuricemia, or excess amounts of uric acid in the blood, either because their bodies produce too much of it or are unable to excrete it due to impaired kidney function. In addition to being a cause of gout, hyperuricemia can lead to heart and kidney disease as well as diabetes.

How Does Uloric Work?

Uloric reduces uric acid levels by preventing the action of purines. This is a substance found primarily in animal-based foods (mostly red meat) that the body turns into uric acid. It is worth noting that gout is historically associated with a rich, fatty diet, and was once known as the “Disease of Kings” (reportedly, King Henry VIII of England suffered from the condition).

Is Uloric More Effective Than Allopurinol?

A study conducted by the U.K. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence found that Uloric is more effective at treating gout than the standard dosage of allopurinol. However, allopurinol has greater efficacy when administered at higher doses.

Is Uloric Dangerous?

According to a safety warning posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 2, 2019, gout medicine, Uloric has been linked to an increased risk of death, including death from heart-related causes.

As a result of the findings, the FDA has updated the Uloric prescribing information and will now require the drug’s label to include a Boxed Warning. A Boxed Warning is the most prominent FDA warning for medication labels. Additionally, the FDA has limited the approved use of Uloric to only patients for whom other medication has not been effective or has caused severe complications. Uloric is not meant to be the first course of treatment for most patients suffering from gout.

Patients who are prescribed Uloric after other medications have failed to treat their gout may wonder, is Uloric dangerous?

What Are the Complications of Uloric?

According to the FDA’s finding, Uloric dangerous side effects may include an increased risk of cardiovascular death, death from other causes, and stroke. Symptoms of Uloric-related cardiovascular problems may include chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, numbness, severe headache, or difficulty talking, according to WebMD.

In addition to the serious consequences and risk of death associated with Uloric, there are many other side effects associated with the drug. These additional side effects include joint pain, stiffness, nausea, dizziness, skin rash, weakness and numbness in the extremities, liver enzyme abnormalities, and other liver problems.

Some patients may also experience a severe allergic reaction to the drug, which may result in skin rash, fever, swollen glands, bruising, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and other complications.

Are There Alternatives to Uloric?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin) can be used when beginning Uloric therapy. However, other than allopurinol, there are no alternative treatments for gout. Avoiding certain foods may help reduce flare-ups.

Victims who have suffered from severe Uloric side effects may be eligible to seek compensation from the drug manufacturer. Victims may be able to collect damages for their medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering. Family members of victims who have died due to Uloric complications may also be eligible to pursue compensation.