Dr. Arjun Srivastav What is Febutaz 80?
Febutaz 80 is a prescription medicine whose main ingredient is febuxostat (80 mg) — a drug used to lower uric acid levels in the blood. It’s primarily used to treat gout, a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup in joints.
Febutaz 80 is a prescription medicine used to treat gout and high uric acid levels in the blood.
Febutaz 80 (Tablet) is a prescription medication used primarily to manage gout — a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood.
Febutaz 80 contains Febuxostat and is prescribed for the treatment of gout. It inhibits xanthine oxidase and thus lowers the uric acid level of your blood.
Alongside, it reduces uric acid to prevent crystal formation in your kidneys and gallbladder. The drug is to be used for a long time for managing hyperuricemia.
However, the same has to be used carefully in patients who are already having severe liver and kidney conditions.
Key Points
- Active ingredient: Febuxostat 80 mg
- Drug class: Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
- Use: Long-term treatment of gout and high uric acid (hyperuricemia)
- How it works: Reduces uric acid production by blocking the enzyme xanthine oxidase
- Benefit: Helps prevent gout attacks and protects joints from urate crystal damage
- Not for: Immediate relief of acute gout pain
- Dosage form: Oral tablet
- How to take: Once daily, with or without food, as prescribed
- Common side effects: Headache, nausea, diarrhea, rash, joint pain
- Serious risks (rare): Liver function changes, cardiovascular concerns
- Precautions: Regular liver and kidney function tests may be required/ Use cautiously in people with heart disease
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Use only if clearly advised by a doctor
- Prescription status: Prescription-only medicine
What is Febutaz 80 used for?
Febutaz is prescribed by the doctors for the treatment of mild to moderate gout. The drug acts as a pain reliever, and when used long-term, it can even treat gout by lowering uric acid formation in the blood.
Typically taken once daily, with or without food.
Your doctor determines the right dose and duration based on your condition.
It may take several weeks to months before the full benefit — lowering uric acid and reducing flare risk — becomes noticeable.
Long-term management of gout
Lowering high uric acid (hyperuricemia)
Preventing future gout attacks and joint damage
How It Works
Febutaz 80 works by blocking the enzyme (xanthine oxidase) that produces uric acid in the body.
This helps reduce uric acid levels, preventing crystal buildup in joints that causes gout pain and inflammation.
⚠️ It is not meant for immediate relief of sudden gout attacks.
How is It Taken
Usually taken once daily
Can be taken with or without food
Must be used regularly and long-term as prescribed
Mode of Action
The dosage of the drug must be slowly increased in the patient. At the start, the dosage must be 40mg, and it can be increased to 80mg, where one tablet of daily consumption is usually scheduled by your doctor.
The drug must be taken daily at the same time. Although you can take it both before and after food, taking it after breakfast is preferred for easy absorption.
The drug inhibits the xanthine oxidase secretion in the liver to control the uric acid secretion and thus protects the patient from gout and crystal formation.
Important Safety Notes
Not for acute gout pain: It does not relieve sudden gout attacks.
Liver monitoring: Your doctor may check liver function regularly, as febuxostat can affect the liver.
Heart risk concerns: Some studies and warnings note an increased risk of serious heart problems with febuxostat in certain patients — discuss risks with your doctor.
Allergies & interactions: Avoid if allergic to febuxostat; tell your doctor about all other medicines you take.
What are the side effects of Febutaz 80?
You can face different issues on different organs and skin from Febutaz 80. Here are the organ-specific side effects you can face with the drug:
- Skin – Allergy (mild to acute), rashes, hives, itching, and inflammation.
- Digestive issues – Nausea, bowel movement, worsening of liver/kidney functions.
- Neuro and cardiac issues – Dizziness, headache, chest pain, breathing issues.
- Other issues – You can experience fluid retention in different organs (need constant monitoring).
Interactions:
Febutaz causes interaction with some foods and drugs. Hence, it is advised that you get a full detail of them from your doctor, so that you can save yourself from the contamination.
✓ Interactions with other medicines
Among the medicines that should be avoided and taken with care with Febutaz, there are some drugs where Febutaz should be strictly avoided, while there are some drugs where you need to consult your doctor first and then take them.
Your doctor can adjust the dosage or the timing of taking the dose in such cases.
✓ Drugs to be strictly avoided:
Azathioprine – It causes toxicity with Febutaz.
Chemo drugs – Afatinib, Pazopanib, and other chemotherapy drugs can be altered when you take Febutaz with them, and hence, must be avoided.
✓ Drugs to be taken after consultation:
- Theophylline
- Statins
- Antidepressants
- Antacid
- Blood thinners
- Aspirin and
- Diuretics
✓ Interactions with food items
- Febutaz interacts with alcohol, where you will find a direct effect on your dizziness and a long-term effect on your liver. Taking alcohol with Febutaz can even cause jaundice.
Precautions
Here are the essential precautions that you must take while taking Febutaz:
✓ Heart issues:
You can face cardiovascular issues like dizziness, issues with heartbeat, chest pain, and even shortness of breath. If you have a severe heart condition, show your report to your doctor.
✓ Liver issues:
If you have a severe liver condition, take proper care and consult your doctor. Otherwise, you can face issues like jaundice symptoms, blackish urine, and even pain in your upper intestine.
✓ Allergies:
Febutaz might be allergic to many. It can even be severe at times, where you can face itching, swelling, and breathing issues. Get in touch with your doctor fast if you face such issues.
✓ Essential Consultation:
If you are pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor and take consultation before taking Febutaz. Febutaz can cause initial flares in your gout. Do not panic about that, as it is quite common.
Safety Advice of Febutaz 80 mg
As you take Febutaz, take care about few odd things, such as:
- Alcohol: Never consume alcohol with the drug. It can affect your liver, cause an increase in gout, and even cause an increase in jaundice symptoms.
- Driving: Due to the dizziness, driving is not safe after taking Febutaz.
- Dosage: Always take the dose at the same time each day. Never stop it on your own and always take the drug after consulting your doctor.
Contraindications
Monitoring use of Febutaz 80 must be taken properly, as it can cause several issues when:
- Allergy: You are allergic to the major composition.
- Liver/kidney health: Liver and kidney health must be monitored from time to time, as you can face deterioration in their health.
- Heart issues: If you have a serious heart issue, as the medicine worsens the heart condition (in case you have some existing issues).
- Other conditions: If you are undergoing thyroid treatment, you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby, never take the drug before proper consultation with a doctor regarding your health condition.
Storage and disposal
- Store the drug at 15-30 °C.
- Keep them away from pets and kids.
- Always keep the drug in the original container, properly closed.
- Never keep drugs that have crossed expiry date.
- Never flush the drugs if they cross the expiry date.
- Never take the tablets that are crushed or broken.
Tips
- Do not stop suddenly without medical advice — progress is gradual and needs monitoring.
- Lifestyle matters: Diet changes, hydration, and weight control also help manage gout long term.
In Simple Terms
Febutaz 80 is a chronic gout management medicine that works by reducing uric acid production and therefore helps prevent future gout attacks.
It’s not for immediate pain relief, and its use should be supervised by a doctor because of possible liver and heart-related risks.
FAQs
