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pegloticase

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Brand names: Krystexxa

Recombinant Uricase Rx

Krystexxa is a medicine used to treat chronic gout in adults when other treatments don't work well enough. It helps lower uric acid levels in your blood.

What it does

Krystexxa is used to treat chronic gout in adults.

Common side effects

Gout flares, Nausea, Infusion reactions

Key warnings

Krystexxa can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, during or after the infusion.

How It Works

Krystexxa contains an enzyme that breaks down uric acid in your body. This helps to lower the amount of uric acid in your blood. Lowering uric acid can reduce gout symptoms.

How to Take It

Krystexxa is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion every two weeks. The usual dose is 8 mg. You will also likely take methotrexate 15 mg weekly. Your doctor will monitor your uric acid levels before each infusion.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It is not known if Krystexxa can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Krystexxa passes into breast milk, so it should not be used when breastfeeding unless the benefit outweighs the risk.

Missed Dose

If you miss an infusion, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule.

Storage

Store Krystexxa in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F and protect it from light; do not freeze or shake.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 2,350 FDA adverse event reports.

Gout flare
539
Increased uric acid in blood
378
Reaction to the infusion
358
Treatment not working as well
240
Difficulty breathing
166
Drug not effective
146
Hives
138
Feeling sick to your stomach
133
Itching
129
Skin rash
123

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 3,350 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2011–2025.

Total Reports

3,350

Death-Related Reports

107

Hospitalization Reports

610

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 412 (19%)
Male 1,722 (80%)

Age Distribution

0–17 12
18–44 286
45–64 614
65–74 303
75+ 195

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 GOUT 539
2 BLOOD URIC ACID INCREASED 378
3 INFUSION RELATED REACTION 358
4 THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE DECREASED 240
5 DYSPNOEA 166
6 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 146
7 URTICARIA 138
8 NAUSEA 133
9 PRURITUS 129
10 RASH 123
11 OFF LABEL USE 119
12 CHEST PAIN 112
13 PAIN 106
14 DIZZINESS 105
15 ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION 99

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 53
GOUT 9
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION 7
CARDIAC ARREST 6
SEPSIS 5
ASTHENIA 4
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE 4
FALL 4
MALAISE 4
PAIN 4

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

GOUT 100
DYSPNOEA 57
INFUSION RELATED REACTION 47
CHEST PAIN 41
ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION 35
DIZZINESS 34
PAIN 30
ARTHRALGIA 29
NAUSEA 29
VOMITING 29

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Krystexxa can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, during or after the infusion. You should receive Krystexxa in a healthcare setting where anaphylaxis can be treated. If you have G6PD deficiency, you should not take Krystexxa, as it can cause red blood cell problems.

Known Drug Interactions

( 7.2 ) Pegloticase: Discontinue and refrain from initiating treatment with allopurinol tablets. Pegloticase Clinical Impact Concomitant use of allopurinol tablets and pegloticase may potentially blunt the rise of serum uric acid levels and increase the risk of pegloticase related anaphylaxis in patients whose uric acid level increase to above 6 mg/dL. Intervention Discontinue and do not institute allopurinol tablets therapy during treatment with pegloticase.

Mechanism: Allopurinol can hide changes in your blood levels that warn doctors of a possible severe allergic reaction to pegloticase.

What to do: Stop taking allopurinol before starting pegloticase and do not take it again while you are on treatment.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Methotrexate KRYSTEXXA 8 mg every 2 weeks has been studied in patients with chronic gout refractory to conventional therapy taking concomitant oral methotrexate 15 mg weekly [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Co-administration of methotrexate with KRYSTEXXA may increase pegloticase concentration compared to KRYSTEXXA alone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Mechanism: Taking methotrexate along with pegloticase can cause the levels of pegloticase to stay higher in your blood than usual.

What to do: Your healthcare provider will monitor your treatment to ensure the combination is working safely.

Common Questions

What should I do before starting Krystexxa?
Stop taking any other uric acid-lowering medicines before starting Krystexxa.
How often will I receive Krystexxa?
Krystexxa is usually given every two weeks.
Will I need any other medications with Krystexxa?
Your doctor will likely prescribe methotrexate to take weekly.
What should I do if I experience an infusion reaction?
Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you feel unwell during or after the infusion.
How will my doctor monitor my treatment?
Your doctor will check your uric acid levels before each infusion.
Can Krystexxa cause allergic reactions?
Yes, Krystexxa can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
What is G6PD deficiency?
G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition that can cause red blood cell problems. If you have G6PD deficiency, you should not take Krystexxa.
Can I take Krystexxa if I have kidney problems?
No dose adjustment is needed if you have kidney problems, but talk to your doctor.
What if my uric acid levels go above 6 mg/dL?
Your doctor may stop Krystexxa treatment if your uric acid levels stay above 6 mg/dL.
Will I get medicine before my infusion?
Yes, you will get antihistamines and corticosteroids before each infusion.
What are the common side effects of pegloticase?
The most commonly reported side effects of pegloticase include Gout flares, Nausea, Infusion reactions, Joint pain, COVID-19. Based on 2,350 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does pegloticase interact with other medications?
Yes, pegloticase has 2 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include allopurinol, methotrexate. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is pegloticase?
pegloticase belongs to the Recombinant Uricase drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Krystexxa is used to treat chronic gout in adults.
Is pegloticase safe during pregnancy?
It is not known if Krystexxa can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for pegloticase

The FDA label for pegloticase (sold under brand names such as Krystexxa) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Recombinant Uricase class. Krystexxa is used to treat chronic gout in adults. Official labeling lists 11 commonly reported side effects, including Gout flares, Nausea, Infusion reactions.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,350 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: August 29, 2025

All federal data sources used on this page