TY - JOUR T1 - Febuxostat Hypersensitivity JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 659 LP - 659 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.111161 VL - 39 IS - 3 AU - ARYEH M. ABELES Y1 - 2012/03/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/39/3/659.abstract N2 - To the Editor:Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is an idiosyncratic cell-mediated hypersensitivity to allopurinol1 characterized by a diffuse morbilliform rash (which can evolve into exfoliative dermatitis), eosinophilia, worsening renal function, and fever2. Historical risk factors for AHS include renal insufficiency and diuretic use3, and because the syndrome can prove fatal, physicians managing hyperuricemia prescribe allopurinol with extreme caution4, particularly in patients with renal insufficiency5. With the introduction of febuxostat to the US market in 2009, patients with a history of AHS and/or renal disease gained an option for urate-lowering therapy, and physicians could prescribe febuxostat to at-risk populations with reduced concern of AHS. A syndrome similar to AHS had not been reported in any of febuxostat’s clinical trials, and none has been reported in the literature.We describe the case of a 69-year-old woman with multiple medical problems including gout and moderate renal insufficiency, who developed a hypersensitivity syndrome similar to AHS shortly after initiating febuxostat. She was referred to the University of Connecticut Health … E-mail: aabeles{at}uchc.edu ER -