Personal Injury Law

Gout Treatment Approved - First In 40 Years

By Jane Akre

It's been more than 40 years since there has been any new medication approved to help the five million Americans who suffer from gout. 

The Food and Drug Administration has now approved Uloric made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals of North America.  Bloomberg reports it took more than four years for regulators to review the drug because there are concerns about the potential for heart attack and stroke.

Gout is a condition that is similar to arthritis that can cause swollen joints. It happens from there is a buildup of uric acid in the blood and the body cannot rid itself of it quickly enough. Uloric lowers uric acid in the blood to reduce the flare-ups that can cause intense pain.

Takeda also sells Prevacid for heartburn and Actos for diabetes, among other drugs. The company is Asia's biggest drugmaker.

It will be available in 40- and 80-milligram tablets to be taken once a day, according to a company press release.

Gout was known as the ailment of kings because the risks include in people who eat a lot of meat and consumed alcohol and when the individual is overweight. #

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on February 16, 2009 (boomark / email).