The more gout builds up, the more harm it can do

Uncontrolled gout can be painful and unpredictable and cause permanent damage to various parts of your body. Even after gout flares end, uric acid crystals caused by gout stay in your body, settle in your joints, and damage your bones. Uric acid crystals can also build up in vital organs like the kidneys. If you have gout and kidney disease, it’s important to take control of gout because uncontrolled gout can make kidney disease worse.

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See which joints can be damaged by uric acid crystal buildup and where uric acid crystal buildup has been observed.

Image of the front of the body to display which joints can be affected by uric acid buildup
Glowing Circles Icon Interactive image of gout in wrists, heart, ribcage, knees and toes
Glowing Circles Icon Interactive image of gout in wrists, heart, ribcage, knees and toes
Glowing Circles Icon Interactive image of gout in ears, elbows, spine, kidneys and ankles
Glowing Circles Icon Interactive image of gout in ears, elbows, spine, kidneys and ankles
Glowing Circles Icon Interactive image of gout in ears, elbows, spine, kidneys and ankles

FRONT

Image of the back of the body to display which joints can be affected by uric acid buildup
Glowing Circles Icon Glowing Circles
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TAP TO ROTATE

Uric acid crystals could build up so much that visible lumps called tophi form under your skin.
Visible buildup is a sign you may have additional nonvisible buildup in other places.

KRYSTEXXA has not been studied to remove urate deposition from the heart, kidneys, or any organ.

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Uric acid crystals can build up in other places in your body, even in places you can’t see. This means damage can even happen in areas where you never had a flare.

Rendering of uric acid crystal buildup

Green areas represent uric acid crystal buildup. Artist’s rendition.

Uric acid crystal buildup
can permanently damage your
joints and bones.

Gout x-ray showing joint damage

Uric acid buildup can happen almost anywhere in the body

Illustration representing complications of gout in heart, feet, and other parts of the body Illustration representing complications of gout in heart, feet, and other parts of the body Illustration representing complications of gout in heart, feet, and other parts of the body
  • Uncontrolled gout can impact more than joints
  • Buildup of uric acid crystal caused by gout can deposit in places that you can't see

Frequently asked questions

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Yes, uric acid crystal buildup has been observed on the heart. Uncontrolled gout can spread beyond the joints to almost anywhere throughout the body, including vital organs.

Though uncommon, small tophi or gouty lumps can form in your outer ear.

Yes, uric acid crystal buildup has been observed on the spine.

Yes, tophi, or gouty lumps, on your elbows can become large and painful.

Serious help for a
serious condition

Gout specialists are experts in
diagnosing and treating uncontrolled
gout.

Find a specialist

Questions about
KRYSTEXXA?

A KRYSTEXXA Gout Nurse Advocate can tell you more and connect you with
helpful support services.

Call 1-833-4MY-GOUT

Reach out Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM ET
at 1-833-469-4688.

USE AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase)?

Serious allergic reactions may happen in some patients who receive KRYSTEXXA. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and usually happen within 2 hours of the infusion.

USE AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase)?

Serious allergic reactions may happen in some patients who receive KRYSTEXXA. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and usually happen within 2 hours of the infusion.

KRYSTEXXA should be given to you by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare setting where serious allergic reactions can be treated. Your doctor or nurse should watch you for any signs of a serious allergic reaction during and after your treatment with KRYSTEXXA.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with KRYSTEXXA:

  • wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, chest pain, or trouble breathing
  • dizziness, fainting, fast or weak heartbeat or feeling nervous
  • reddening of the face, itching, hives, or feeling warm
  • swelling of the throat or tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing

Who should not receive KRYSTEXXA?

Do not receive KRYSTEXXA if you:

  • have a rare blood problem called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or favism. Your doctor may test you for G6PD before you start KRYSTEXXA.
  • have had a serious allergic reaction to KRYSTEXXA or any of its ingredients. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in KRYSTEXXA.

What should I tell my doctor before receiving treatment with KRYSTEXXA?

Before you receive KRYSTEXXA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • ever had any heart problems or high blood pressure.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KRYSTEXXA will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KRYSTEXXA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will receive KRYSTEXXA or breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not take any other uric acid lowering drug, such as allopurinol, febuxostat (Uloric), or probenecid, while receiving KRYSTEXXA.

KRYSTEXXA is recommended to be given with another prescription medicine called methotrexate. KRYSTEXXA may also be used alone. You and your doctor will decide the treatment that is right for you.

Prior to your treatment with KRYSTEXXA, your doctor may give you medicine to help reduce your risk of getting gout flares or an allergic reaction. Take these medicines as directed by your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will also test your uric acid levels prior to each treatment to monitor your response to KRYSTEXXA.

Your gout flares may increase in the first 3 months when you start receiving KRYSTEXXA. It’s important to understand that this is happening because KRYSTEXXA is breaking down uric acid in your body. Do not stop receiving KRYSTEXXA even if you have a flare, as the amount of flares will decrease after 3 months of treatment. Your doctor may give you other medicines to help reduce your gout flares for the first few months after starting KRYSTEXXA.

What are the possible side effects of KRYSTEXXA?

In KRYSTEXXA clinical trials:
The most common side effects of KRYSTEXXA when given together with methotrexate were
gout flares, joint pain, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nausea, and fatigue.
The most common side effects of KRYSTEXXA were gout flares, allergic reactions (including infusion reactions). See “What is the most important information I should know about KRYSTEXXA?”, nausea, bruising, sore throat, constipation, chest pain, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional Important Safety Information, please see the Medication Guide and discuss with your doctor.

USE

KRYSTEXXA is a prescription medicine used in adults to help reduce the signs and symptoms of gout that are not controlled by other treatments.

KRYSTEXXA is not for use in people with too much uric acid in their bodies who do not have symptoms (asymptomatic hyperuricemia).

USE AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase)?

Serious allergic reactions may happen in some patients who receive KRYSTEXXA. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and usually happen within 2 hours of the infusion.

USE AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase)?

Serious allergic reactions may happen in some patients who receive KRYSTEXXA. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and usually happen within 2 hours of the infusion.

KRYSTEXXA should be given to you by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare setting where serious allergic reactions can be treated. Your doctor or nurse should watch you for any signs of a serious allergic reaction during and after your treatment with KRYSTEXXA.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with KRYSTEXXA:

  • wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, chest pain, or trouble breathing
  • dizziness, fainting, fast or weak heartbeat or feeling nervous
  • reddening of the face, itching, hives, or feeling warm
  • swelling of the throat or tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing

Who should not receive KRYSTEXXA?

Do not receive KRYSTEXXA if you:

  • have a rare blood problem called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or favism. Your doctor may test you for G6PD before you start KRYSTEXXA.
  • have had a serious allergic reaction to KRYSTEXXA or any of its ingredients. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in KRYSTEXXA.

What should I tell my doctor before receiving treatment with KRYSTEXXA?

Before you receive KRYSTEXXA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • ever had any heart problems or high blood pressure.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KRYSTEXXA will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KRYSTEXXA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will receive KRYSTEXXA or breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not take any other uric acid lowering drug, such as allopurinol, febuxostat (Uloric), or probenecid, while receiving KRYSTEXXA.

KRYSTEXXA is recommended to be given with another prescription medicine called methotrexate. KRYSTEXXA may also be used alone. You and your doctor will decide the treatment that is right for you.

Prior to your treatment with KRYSTEXXA, your doctor may give you medicine to help reduce your risk of getting gout flares or an allergic reaction. Take these medicines as directed by your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will also test your uric acid levels prior to each treatment to monitor your response to KRYSTEXXA.

Your gout flares may increase in the first 3 months when you start receiving KRYSTEXXA. It’s important to understand that this is happening because KRYSTEXXA is breaking down uric acid in your body. Do not stop receiving KRYSTEXXA even if you have a flare, as the amount of flares will decrease after 3 months of treatment. Your doctor may give you other medicines to help reduce your gout flares for the first few months after starting KRYSTEXXA.

What are the possible side effects of KRYSTEXXA?

In KRYSTEXXA clinical trials:
The most common side effects of KRYSTEXXA when given together with methotrexate were
gout flares, joint pain, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nausea, and fatigue.
The most common side effects of KRYSTEXXA were gout flares, allergic reactions (including infusion reactions). See “What is the most important information I should know about KRYSTEXXA?”, nausea, bruising, sore throat, constipation, chest pain, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional Important Safety Information, please see the Medication Guide and discuss with your doctor.

USE

KRYSTEXXA is a prescription medicine used in adults to help reduce the signs and symptoms of gout that are not controlled by other treatments.

KRYSTEXXA is not for use in people with too much uric acid in their bodies who do not have symptoms (asymptomatic hyperuricemia).