Cardiovascular Risks of Febuxostat and Allopurinol, Compared

For most patients with gout and cardiovascular disease, febuxostat's mortality disadvantage makes allopurinol a safer bet.

Patients with gout are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Febuxostat has been shown to be more effective than allopurinol in lowering uric acid levels, but the FDA required that a trial comparing the two drugs' cardiovascular safety be conducted. The trial, known as CARES (NCT01101035) and supported by the maker of Uloric (febuxostat), randomized 6190 patients with gout and CVD from 320 North American sites to receive febuxostat or allopurinol. Median exposure to study treatment was about 2 years.

During a median follow-up of 32 months, incidence of the primary composite endpoint — a first occurrence of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or urgent revascularization for unstable angina — wa…

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Cardiovascular Risks of Febuxostat and Allopurinol, Compared

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Reviewing Author