Febuxostat reduces the production of uric acid in your body. Uric acid buildup can lead to gout or kidney stones.

Febuxostat is used to treat gout.

Febuxostat may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to febuxostat, or if you are also being treated with azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mercaptopurine (Purinethol), or theophylline (Elixophyllin, TheoCap, Theochron, Uniphyl).

Before taking febuxostat, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, a history of heart attack or stroke, or if you have ever received an organ transplant.

You may have an increase in gout symptom flares when you first start taking febuxostat. For best results, keep taking the medication as directed. Your doctor may prescribe other gout medications for you to use during the first 6 months of treatment with febuxostat.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to febuxostat, or if you are being treated with any of the following medications:

• azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran); or

• mercaptopurine (Purinethol).

To make sure you can safely take febuxostat, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• heart disease;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• cancer;

• Lesch-Nyhan syndrome; or

• if you have ever received an organ transplant (kidney, liver, lung, heart).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether febuxostat will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether febuxostat passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.