Febuxostat [TEI 6720, TMX 67] is an effective treatment for patients with gout, according to studies presented at the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology [San Antonio, US; October 2004]. Results from phase III studies showed that patients receiving febuxostat had lower serum uric acid levels and hence fewer gout flares, compared with allopurinol-treated patients. Long-term data from a phase II study indicated that febuxostat maintains reduced uric acid levels for up to 2 years. Furthermore, febuxostat was well tolerated in these studies, which included patients with an intolerance to allopurinol and patients with hepatic impairment.