Abstract

Objective: Febuxostat, a novel non-purine selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is a recommended treatment option for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperuricemia. There are only a few trials on the long-term use of allopurinol and febuxostat for CKD. In this study, we compared the efficacy of allopurinol and febuxostat and their effects on renal function in patients with CKD and hyperuricemia.
Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of adult patients with hyperuricemia and CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73m²) treated with febuxostat or allopurinol. The proportion of patients who achieved the treatment goal and the difference in efficacy between different drug doses were evaluated. Further, the effects on cardiovascular and renal functions were assessed. Cardiovascular risk is defined as cardiovascular events occurring after treatment initiation.
Results: We enrolled 316 patients in the study, with 83 and 233 patients in the allopurinol and febuxostat groups, respectively. The application of linear mixed model for analysis revealed that febuxostat 40 mg was more effective than allopurinol 100 mg in reducing the serum uric acid level. The results indicated that the long-term eGFR slope of the febuxostat group was positive, whereas that of the allopurinol group was negative.
Conclusion: The results showed that, in patients with CKD and hyperuricemia, febuxostat can be used to reduce the serum uric acid level. The long-term use of febuxostat may exert a protective effect on the kidneys. Moreover, there were no obvious adverse reactions and the patients tolerated the drug well.

Author Details

Authors

• Ai Yu Yang

Departments

• Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Address

Ai Yu Yang
Clinical Pharmacist
No.100, Ziyou 1 Rd., Sanmin Dist.,
Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Email: 1000563@
ms.kmuh.org.tw

Citation