Hyderabad: Post-marketing studies on febuxostat, the drug used to combat gout, have shown that it can lead to severe cardiovascular diseases. The Food And Drug Administration has been petitioned to withdraw the drug from the market.
Data collected from various centres in the West shows that there is overwhelming evidence that febuxostat, which is sold as Uloric, has caused serious cardiovascular harm. Febuxostat is a commonly used drug in the Indian market, and doctors say there has not been any adverse drug reaction.
Dr Govardhan Mandula, senior general physician, said, “Febuxostat is commonly prescribed to gout patients and there has no adverse reaction in patients who have been using it. Our clinical experience shows that it is an effective and safe drug. If there have been any adverse reaction, FDA will call it in for further trials.”
There are only two drugs for gout, the other being allopurinol. Dr Hari Kishan, senior general physician with Apollo Hospital, said, “Allopurinol is a much stronger drug and febuxostat is found to be safe in comparison. We have to check on more data from various centres across the world. The side effects have to be evaluated on a risk-versus-benefit basis.”
In India 12.5 per cent patients suffer from gout where the uric acid levels in the body increases. Constant pain in the toe is an indication of gout. Reducing uric acid levels helps deal with gout and recent studies have shown that cherries can help to prevent the disease. Those who have type 2 diabetes, arthritis and other co-morbid conditions are also found to suffer from gout.
