Uloric is a medication approved by the FDA to prevent gout in adults. This prescription works by lowering the amount of uric acid that has built up in the body to an excessive level. There are other prescriptions used by doctors, but this product has been eagerly welcomed by patients unable to tolerate the side effects of those other drugs.

Gout is periods of arthritis in one or more joints with symptoms of pain, redness, swelling, and being hot to the touch. Toes, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows are affected, and more than one area can be afflicted at one time. This disorder is caused by the over-production of uric acid which is an antioxidant material that protects the lining of the blood vessels. This substance is produced as the body breaks down purine which is naturally found in food and various cells of the body.

Uloric is made by the Japanese manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Febuxostat is the generic name for this product that is a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor which prevents the body from turning purines into uric acid. This decreases the amounts found in the joints, blood, and tissues. It is prescribed for adults since it is unknown if it is safe or effective for those under 18 years old. This product should be stored away from direct light in an area that is between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Food and Drug Administration approved this medication in February 2009 for adults after intensive research and studies were performed to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Forty and eighty milligram tablets are green with the former being round shaped and the latter being oval shaped. Patients are initially instructed to orally take one 40 mg pill once a day with or without food at approximately the same time each day. If blood tests show uric acid levels that are still elevated after two weeks, the dosage is increased to 80 mg daily.

It has been forty years since a new medication has been approved to prevent gout. Medications like Uloric prevent attacks before they happen but do not relieve symptoms as they occur. Noticeable improvement may not be witnessed for up to six months, and joint pain may initially worsen but will lessen as this medicine does its job. This product cannot be taken with certain medications like Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine. Those with liver, kidney, and heart problems may also not be permitted to use this drug unless they are closely monitored.

Possible side effects include nausea, rash, pain in the chest, and shortness of breath. Other possible reactions are slowed speech, blurred vision, dizziness, and numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. Patients are closely monitored with blood tests and routine office visits to prevent damage from happening to their organs.

When taking gout medication Probenecid, patients must drink two liters of fluid each day for this prescription to do be effective. In comparison to the favored gout prescription Allopurinol, users of Uloric enjoy more potent and effective results. They also do not risk the dangerous side effects associated with taking Allopurinol on a long-term basis. Uloric can also be prescribed for those with mild or moderate kidney disease.

The gout medication Uloric prevents the symptoms of gout after consistent daily use. Patients who had difficulty tolerating other prescriptions to curb this health issue enjoy the benefits of an improved pain-free existence.