Uses of Vocanz 40

Vocanz is a drug used in the treatment of hyperuricemia in people with gout. The drug helps limit the production of uric acid in the blood. Let's learn about the uses and precautions when using Vocanz.

Vocanz 40 has the main ingredient Febuxostat 40mg, which is prepared in the form of film-coated tablets.
Febuxostat works by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase (this is the enzyme that converts purines into uric acid), causing uric acid levels in the blood to decrease.

Vocanz 40 is indicated for the treatment of chronic hyperuricemia in people with gout.
Contraindications:
Vocanz 40 should not be used in the following cases:
Allergy to any ingredient in Vocanz. Blood uric acid levels have stabilized to near-normal levels. Having elevated blood uric acid levels but not having gout, eg in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, cancer, cancer treatment, organ transplant. Are taking medications that contain ingredients such as azathioprine, didanosine, or mercaptopurine.

How to use: Take the medicine with water with meals.
Dosage:
For the treatment of hyperuricemia in gout patients: The drug is recommended to take 40mg or 80mg per day. The starting dose is usually 40mg daily for patients who do not achieve serum uric acid levels less than 60ml/dL. After about 2 weeks of dosing with 40mg, it is recommended to increase the dose of febuxostat up to 80mg Special patient group: No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment when taking febuxostat. No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Normally, the level of uric acid in the blood can be reached below 6ml/dl 2 weeks after starting febuxostat treatment. But there is a risk of a gout flare occurring after starting febuxostat due to changes in serum uric acid levels. This leads to mobilization of urate from tissues causing the release of urate crystals leading to inflammation. Prevent this risk of flare-ups by combining Vocanz 40 with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or colchicine at the start of febuxostat.
If gout flares occur again during treatment with this drug, the drug should be discontinued, can be restarted after stabilization and should be combined with preventive measures. Gout flares should be managed concurrently and appropriately for each patient.

When taking the drug, there may be some side effects such as:
Nausea, joint pain, rash, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, slurred or difficult speech, dizziness or possible fainting, weakness or numbness in the hands/ foot. Febuxostat may increase liver enzymes and cause liver damage. Sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, voice, or balance. Need to go to a medical facility immediately for treatment. In addition to the above side effects, you may experience other side effects when taking the drug. You need to let your doctor know about the side effects when taking the drug.

Before taking this medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to febuxostat, any drugs or any of the ingredients in Vocanz 40. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a medical condition such as chest pain. ; organ transplant; have cancer; stroke; Lesch-Nyhan syndrome; heart failure, kidney failure or liver disease.
Caution in special cases:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of this drug in pregnant women. Febuxostat should only be used during pregnancy when the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Children: The safety and effectiveness of febuxostat have not been established in patients under 18 years of age. Therefore, do not use the drug with this object. Drug interactions: some interactions to watch out for when taking drugs include
Xanthine oxidase substrate: Febuxostat is a Xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Febuxostat alters the metabolism of theophylline (a substrate of Xanthine oxidase) in humans. Therefore, caution should be exercised when these two drugs are used concurrently. Febuxostat is a Xanthine oxidase inhibitor, therefore, co-administration of Febuxostat with substances metabolized by Xanthine oxidase may increase plasma concentrations of these drugs, leading to drug toxicity. While taking the drug, it is still necessary to maintain a normal diet for gout. Do not change your diet on your own unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Storage: The drug is stored in a cool place, away from direct light, out of reach of children.
Vocanz 40 is used under the direction of a doctor, you do not arbitrarily use it without determining other causes of increased uric acid in the blood. If you still don't understand something, you should consult your doctor to use the medicine safely.