Patent ID: 8329749

Claim:
A method of treating hyperuricemia in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the (−) stereoisomer of a compound of Formula I, wherein: R is a hydroxy group, a benzyloxy, phenethyloxy, formamidoethoxy, acetamidoethoxy, acetamidopropoxy, benzamidoethoxy, benzamidopropoxy, carbamoylmethoxy, carbamoylethoxy, 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)ethoxy, 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropoxy or a 2-carbamoylphenoxy group forming an ester linkage capable of being hydrolyzed upon administration to the mammal to provide a compound of formula I wherein R is OH; and each X is independently a halogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound contains the (−) stereoisomer in an enantiomeric excess of at least 80%.