ULORIC

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ULORIC is a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor indicated for the chronic management of hyperuricemia in adult patients with gout who have an inadequate response to a maximally titrated dose of allopurinol, who are intolerant to allopurinol, or for whom treatment with allopurinol is not advisable. ULORIC is a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor indicated for the chronic management of hyperuricemia in adult patients with gout who have an inadequate response to a maximally titrated dose of allopurinol, who are intolerant to allopurinol, or for whom treatment with allopurinol is not advisable. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : ULORIC is not recommended for the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : ULORIC is not recommended for the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dosage is 40 mg or 80 mg once daily. The recommended starting dosage is 40 mg once daily. For patients who do not achieve a serum uric acid (sUA) less than 6 mg/dL after 2 weeks, the recommended dosage is 80 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) Patients with severe renal impairment: Limit the dosage to 40 mg once daily. ( 2.2 , 8.6 ) Flare prophylaxis is recommended upon initiation of ULORIC. ( 2.4 ) Can be administered without regard to food or antacid use. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended ULORIC dosage is 40 mg or 80 mg once daily. The recommended starting dosage of ULORIC is 40 mg once daily. For patients who do not achieve a serum uric acid (sUA) less than 6 mg/dL after two weeks, the recommended ULORIC dosage is 80 mg once daily. ULORIC can be taken without regard to food or antacid use [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Concurrent prophylactic treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or colchicine is recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. 2.2 Dosage Recommendations in Patients with Renal Impairment and Hepatic Impairment The recommended dosage of ULORIC is limited to 40 mg once daily in patients with severe renal impairment. No dose modification is necessary when administering ULORIC in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . No dosage modification is necessary in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.3 Serum Uric Acid Level Monitoring Testing for the target serum uric acid level of less than 6 mg/dL may be performed as early as two weeks after initiating ULORIC therapy. 2.4 Recommended Prophylaxis for Gout Flares Gout flares may occur after initiation of ULORIC due to changing serum uric acid levels resulting in mobilization of urate from tissue deposits. Flare prophylaxis with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or colchicine is recommended upon initiation of ULORIC. Prophylactic therapy may be beneficial for up to six months [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . If a gout flare occurs during ULORIC treatment, ULORIC need not be discontinued. The gout flare should be managed concurrently, as appropriate for the individual patient [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Warnings and cautions 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Gout Flares : An increase in gout flares is frequently observed after initiation of ULORIC. If a gout flare occurs during treatment, ULORIC need not be discontinued. Prophylactic therapy (i.e., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or colchicine) upon initiation of treatment may be beneficial for up to six months. ( 2.4 , 5.2 ) Hepatic Effects : Cases of hepatic failure, some fatal, have been reported. If liver injury is detected, promptly interrupt ULORIC and treat cause, if possible, to resolution or stabilization. Permanently discontinue ULORIC if liver injury is confirmed, and no alternate etiology can be found. ( 5.3 ) Serious Skin Reactions : Serious skin and hypersensitivity reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported in patients taking ULORIC. Discontinue ULORIC if serious skin reactions are suspected. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Cardiovascular Death In a cardiovascular (CV) outcome study, gout patients with established CV disease treated with ULORIC had a higher rate of CV death compared to those treated with allopurinol. Sudden cardiac death was the most common cause of adjudicated CV deaths, 2.7% in the ULORIC group (83 of 3,098) as compared to 1.8% in the allopurinol group (56 of 3,092). ULORIC was similar to allopurinol for nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke and unstable angina with urgent coronary revascularization [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . Because of the increased risk of CV death, ULORIC should only be used in patients who have an inadequate response to a maximally titrated dose of allopurinol, who are intolerant to allop