The gout drug, Uloric, causes a serious increase risk in cardiovascular death, as well as strokes and heart attacks. If you or a loved one has experienced one of these serious side effects, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other damages. We are currently working with experienced Uloric lawyers across the country. They charge no fee unless you get an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll-free number 24/7 at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form.
Have You Sustained Serious Injuries After Taking Uloric?
You May Have a Claim.
What Is Uloric?
Uloric is a prescription drug that is also known by the name of Febuxostat. The medication is given to patients suffering from gout to keep uloric acid levels low. The drug comes in a tablet form and may be administered in one of two dosages: (1) 40 mg; or (2) 80 mg.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that affects over 8 million adults in the U.S. today. Gout occurs when there are increased levels of urate crystal near the joints, especially in the feet and big-toe region. Some of the common painful symptoms of gout include:
- Redness
- Severe Pain
- Tenderness of Joints
Gout can be one of the most painful types of arthritis when the patient is experiencing what is known as a “gout flare up.” A gout flare up occurs when high levels of uric acid occurs and crystals dissolve near the joints.
How Does Uloric Work In Treating Gout?
Uloric is a type of drug known as xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs). These types of drugs have the specific task of lowering levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is naturally found in the body from “purines.” Uric acid levels can also fluctuate when consuming different types of food and drinks. Uloric helps in reducing gout symptoms by causing the purines to stop producing uric acid.
Why Is Uloric Considered Dangerous?
Uloric is considered dangerous because of the serious harmful side effects associated with consumption of the prescription medication.
Some of the most common listed side effects of Uloric include:
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Gout Flare Ups
- Severe Joint Pain
- Liver Problems
The real danger though are the side effects that Uloric did not put on the warning labels. Use of Uloric has been linked to serious cardiovascular episodes, such as heart attack and stroke that in some cases lead to death. This is a serious risk that was not placed on the warning label for consumers or doctors.
Why Are There Uloric Lawsuits?
Currently, there are lawsuits against the manufacturers of Uloric, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, for failure to warn doctors and patients about the increased risk of cardiovascular episodes when taking Uloric. Consumers are suing the manufacturer after themselves or loved ones experienced tragic cardiovascular events. It is alleged that the company knowingly and purposefully hid this side effect in attempt to stay above the competition of other safer drugs used to treat gout. It was only revealed after an employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the company claiming these allegations.
What Type of Injuries Are Associated with Uloric Use?
Use of Uloric has now been linked to a significant increase in likelihood of suffering from a cardiovascular episode, like stroke or heart attack. These are not the only injuries though, just the most serious.
Below is a list of all serious side effects of Uloric:
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Death
- Myocardial Infarction
- Unstable Angina
- Urgent Coronary Revascularization
- Severe Headaches
- Issues Speaking
- Difficult Breathing
- Dizziness
- Chest Pain
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Numbness on One Side of the Body
Is Uloric FDA Approved?
Uloric was approved by the FDA in 2009 after two other attempts in 2005 and 2006 failed. The FDA approved the drug with the condition of providing more clinical research after the drug is on the market. In 2017, the FDA released a report on a clinical trial involving Uloric that revealed an increase in heart-related deaths and injuries. This lead to the most recent FDA action taken against Uloric.
The FDA in 2019 required a “black box warning” label on all Uloric prescription medications to include the side effect of cardiovascular death. The FDA also restricted the use of Uloric to only patients who have a negative reaction to another less harmful gout drug known as allopurinol.
Uloric History Timeline:
- 2005 & 2006 – Takeda Pharmaceuticals applied for FDA approval for their new medication, Uloric, to treat patients suffering from gout but the FDA denied both applications for approval.
- 2009 – The FDA approved the use of Uloric to treat adults with gout.
- 2012 – A former employee of Takeda Pharmaceuticals filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the company alleging corrupt practices that include deliberately not disclosing the cardiovascular death side effects for fear of losing the gout drug market.
- 2017 – The FDA announced a report from a clinical trial that revealed a significant increase in heart-related deaths in patients taking Uloric versus other gout medications.
- 2019 – The FDA provided a black box warning for Uloric to include the serious side effects such as death and cardiovascular episodes. The FDA also limited the use of Uloric to only patients. who other gout prescriptions were deemed ineffective.
Contact an Experienced Uloric Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one has experienced serious cardiovascular side effects after taking the drug Uloric, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other losses. We work with experienced Uloric lawyers across the country who specialize in taking these types of cases. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation just call us today toll-free 24/7 at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form.
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