FDA OKs New Gout Drug Uloric

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Uloric is First New Gout Drug in More Than 40 Years

By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

Feb. 16, 2009 -- The FDA has approved Uloric, the first new gout drug in more than 40 years, according to Uloric's maker, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Uloric, taken once daily by mouth, is approved for the chronic management of hyperuricemia (elevated levels of uric acid) in gout patients.

Uloric works by blocking an enzyme called xanthine oxidase, which helps prevent uric acid production, lowering elevated uric acid levels, according to Takeda.

In 2005, the FDA refused to approve Uloric because there were slightly more deaths and heart problems in patients taking the drug than in patients taking allopurinol, another gout drug. As people with gout problems already are at higher risk of heart disease, the FDA issued an "approvable" letter, noting that Uloric could be approved if this safety question were addressed.

Takeda resolved the safety question by performing a large new phase III clinical trial that enrolled more gout patients than the two previous phase III trials combined. The new study found no more deaths and no more heart problems in patients taking Uloric than in patients taking allopurinol.

Based on those results, an FDA advisory committee recommended Uloric's approval in November 2008. The FDA often follows the recommendations of its advisory committees, but it's not obligated to do so.

The most commonly reported adverse events in Uloric's clinical trials were liver function abnormalities, nausea, joint pain, and rash, according to Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

SOURCES: News release, Takeda Pharmaceuticals. WebMD Health News: "New Gout Drug Gets FDA Panel Nod."

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