Barif 80 80 mg Tablet

Barif 80 80 mg tablet is manufactured by Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, Gazipur and contains Febuxostat, a medicine that lowers uric acid in the blood. It is used for the long-term treatment of gout — a painful form of arthritis in which uric acid crystals collect in the joints, classically causing sudden severe pain, redness and swelling of the big toe, ankle or knee.

Febuxostat blocks an enzyme called xanthine oxidase, which the body uses to make uric acid. With less uric acid being produced, blood levels fall, existing crystals slowly dissolve and new attacks become less frequent over time. It is a preventive medicine — it does not relieve the pain of an attack that has already started.

Barif 80 is prescribed for adults with chronic gout when blood uric acid stays high and crystals have started causing problems, for example:

• Repeated painful gout attacks
• Gouty lumps under the skin (tophi) or joint damage from urate crystals
• When allopurinol is unsuitable, not tolerated or insufficient

Specialists sometimes also use it to prevent uric acid surges during cancer chemotherapy (tumour lysis syndrome). Routinely treating a high uric acid level that has never caused symptoms is generally not recommended — whether you need Barif 80 at all is a decision for your doctor after reviewing your attacks and test results.

The usual dose of Febuxostat is 40–80 mg once daily, with or without food; your doctor sets the dose of Barif 80 and adjusts it according to your uric acid level, aiming usually below 6 mg/dL. Key points:

• Treatment is usually not started during an acute attack — your doctor decides the right time, generally after the attack settles.
• During the first months, attacks may temporarily increase as crystals dissolve; your doctor often adds colchicine or an anti-inflammatory as cover.
• If a flare occurs while on Barif 80, keep taking it unless your doctor says otherwise.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, take the tablet at the same time daily, and never double a missed dose.

Common side effects of Barif 80 include:

• Gout flares during the first months (expected as crystals dissolve)
• Nausea, diarrhoea or stomach discomfort
• Headache, dizziness
• Raised liver enzymes on blood tests, skin rash, joint or muscle aches, mild swelling of feet

Serious but rare: severe skin and allergy reactions (widespread rash, blistering, fever, swollen glands) which need the medicine stopped immediately, and serious liver problems (yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, severe fatigue). Some studies suggested more heart-related events in patients with major heart disease, so report chest pain, breathlessness, one-sided weakness, slurred speech or sudden severe headache urgently.

Important precautions with Barif 80:

• Tell your doctor about any heart disease or previous stroke — the doctor will weigh benefits and risks and may prefer another medicine or closer follow-up.
• Liver tests are usually checked before starting and periodically afterwards.
• Take the medicine every day, even when you feel completely well — uric acid rises again quickly if doses are skipped.
• Drink plenty of fluids, limit red meat, organ meats, dried pulses in excess, sugary drinks and alcohol (especially beer), and maintain a healthy weight — diet supports but does not replace the medicine.
• Report any new rash early; do not restart after a serious skin reaction.

The most important rule: Barif 80 must never be combined with azathioprine or mercaptopurine (medicines used after transplants, in autoimmune disease and some cancers). Febuxostat blocks the enzyme that clears them, so their levels can rise to dangerous, bone-marrow-suppressing concentrations. Also discuss with your doctor:

• Theophylline (an asthma medicine) — levels may rise; monitoring may be needed.
• Cancer chemotherapy — uric acid management needs specialist planning.
• Diuretics and low-dose aspirin can raise uric acid; your doctor balances this in the overall plan.

Always share your complete medicine list, including herbal products, with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not take Barif 80 if:

• You are allergic to Febuxostat or any other ingredient of the product
• You are taking azathioprine or mercaptopurine

It is generally avoided, or used only with specialist judgement, in people with significant ischaemic heart disease or uncontrolled heart failure, and caution is needed after a serious skin reaction to allopurinol — any new rash must be taken seriously. It is not recommended for children, and there is no reason to use it in symptomless high uric acid without a doctor's specific decision. When in doubt, confirm suitability with your physician first.

There is very little information about Febuxostat in human pregnancy, so Barif 80 should be avoided during pregnancy unless your doctor judges it absolutely necessary — which is rare, since gout itself is uncommon in women of child-bearing age. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop only after contacting your doctor, who will reassess your treatment.

It is not known whether febuxostat passes into human breast milk, and animal data suggest it does. It is therefore not recommended while breastfeeding; discuss safer alternatives and timing with your doctor before nursing.

Store Barif 80 below 30°C in a cool, dry place, protected from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the tablet in its original blister or container until use, and avoid humid storage spots such as the bathroom or kitchen.

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack.
• Do not throw unused medicine into household waste or drains; ask your pharmacist about safe disposal.