FDA: Gout drug may increase risk of heart-related death
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday health care providers and the public to an increased risk of heart-related death from a drug used to treat gout, a type of arthritis in adults. Preliminary results from a safety clinical trial of the drug febuxostat (Uloric) show an increased risk of heart-related death compared to the gout medicine allopurinol, FDA said. 鈥淗ealth care professionals should consider this safety information when deciding whether to prescribe or continue patients on febuxostat,鈥� the agency said. Febuxostat drug labels already carry a warning about cardiovascular events because the drug showed a higher rate of heart-related problems in clinical trials conducted before approval. 鈥淲e are continuing to evaluate this safety issue and will update the public when we have more information,鈥� FDA said. 鈥淲e urge health care professionals and patients to report side effects involving febuxostat or other medicines to the FDA 听辫谤辞驳谤补尘.鈥�