Health
FDA approves new gout medication
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 16, 2009
The Food and Drug Administration approved Feb. 13 a new drug for the management of high levels of uric acid, which causes the arthritic condition known as gout. The drug, Uloric, or febuxostat, is a once-daily oral medication.
Uloric works by blocking the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of purines. Purines, in turn, can lead to a buildup of uric acid in the blood. An estimated 5 million people in the U.S. have the condition, which can occur sporadically.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/16/hlbf0316.htm.
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