Uloric (generic name febuxostat) is a medication prescribed for gout. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Uloric for the treatment of gout in 2009. In 2017, however, the FDA added a boxed warning and a new patient medication guide to Uloric. The FDA now warns of possible cardiovascular risks associated with taking Uloric.
If your doctor prescribed you Uloric to manage chronic gout and you then suffered heart issues, you could have a product liability case. The Louisville personal injury attorney team at Meinhart & Manning, PLLC can help you fight for compensation. Call (502) 589-2700 for a free consultation in Louisville.
Uloric works by reducing the amount of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid can occur when the kidneys do not eliminate the substance efficiently enough. People who are overweight, eat rich foods, drink alcohol, and who have diabetes are most likely to suffer from high uric acid levels and related conditions, including gout. Too much uric acid does not always require treatment. However, it can cause issues such as gout and kidney stones. Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause severe episodes of pain and swelling in the joints.
Patients with chronic gout may seek relief through the prescription medication Uloric. Uloric is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that can reduce uric acid levels in patients with gout. Unfortunately, issues with this drug could result in additional health problems – namely, an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Uloric, a product of Takeda Pharmaceuticals, has had connections with cardiovascular risks since its debut on the market. Yet it was not until 2017 that the FDA issued a boxed warning on the drug.
When the FDA originally approved Uloric, it required Takeda to place a visible warning regarding potential cardiovascular events on the drug’s packaging. It also required the manufacturing company to conduct a post-market safety study on the drug’s cardiovascular effects. Takeda studied 6,000 patients over the course of several years and published its findings in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018. The study found a statistically significant increase in the risk of death by cardiovascular issues for people who used Uloric compared to another gout treatment, allopurinol.
Patients who have taken Uloric have complained of symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, numbness in the body, dizziness, and severe headache. Uloric can cause non-deadly heart attack, non-deadly stroke, heart-related death, and unstable angina (not enough blood to the hearty). Although the study concluded that Uloric did not increase the risk of these health problems compared to allopurinol, a separate evaluation of patient outcomes did show an increased risk of cardiovascular-related death from all causes. The study found that about 15 heart-related deaths occurred for every 1,000 patients taking Uloric.
You do not need to worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer when you choose Meinhart & Manning, PLLC. Our firm operates on a contingency fee setup. We only charge for our legal services if we win the medical malpractice case. If you do not obtain a financial award, you do not have to pay. If we do win your case, we will never bill you directly. Instead, we deduct our fees from your settlement or verdict award based on a percentage we previously agreed upon. We believe in access to justice for all victims of negligence.
Uloric is a potentially dangerous drug with proven adverse effects to cardiovascular health. If you or someone you love has suffered heart-related issues after taking Uloric, contact an attorney in Louisville to discuss your case. You could have a product liability claim against Takeda Pharmaceuticals for your past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and lost enjoyment of life. Let us seek maximum damages on your behalf. Call (502) 589-2700 for a free consultation.