Thomas MacDonald, ACR 2020 – Cardiovascular safety of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Chronic Gout: The FAST Study (Part 1)

Following concerns related to the cardiovascular safety of febuxostat, the European Medicines Agency recommended a post-licensing study assessing the cardiovascular safety of febuxostat compared with allopurinol. Here we talk to Thomas MacDonald (University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK) about the results of this study and what they mean. 

The late-breaking abstract entitled ‘Long Term Cardiovascular Safety of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Patients with Chronic Gout: The Febuxostat versus Allopurinol Streamlined Trial (on Behalf of the FAST Investigators)’ was presented at ACR Convergence 2020, 5-9 November. 

Part 2 of our discussion can be viewed here.

Questions

1. Could you tell us a little about the cardiovascular safety concerns that have emerged with febuxostat? (0:06)
2. Could you tell us about the design and findings of the FAST study? (0:49)
3. What factors should be considered when choosing between febuxostat and allopurinol for patients with chronic gout? (3:11)

Disclosures: The FAST study was funded by Menarini to fulfill a European Medicines Agency regulatory commitment. Menarini received financial support from Ipsen and Teijin Pharma Ltd for this study. The University of Dundee was the legal sponsor. Menarini played no part in the running of this study. Dundee University has received funds for research from Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, GSK, Menarini, Pfizer, Servier, Shire and Takeda. Thomas MacDonald has also received speaker or consultancy fees from Novartis, Takeda, Servier, Shire, Astellas, Menarini and AstraZeneca.

Support: Interview and filming supported by Touch Medical Media Ltd.

Filmed in coverage of virtual ACR Convergence 2020.