A 2-phenylthiophene derivative represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof, characterized by comprising a thiophene ring substituted by a carboxy group, etc. and a benzene ring having both of an electron-attracting group, e.g., a cyano group, and an electron-donating group, e.g., a substituted alkoxy group. (I) The compound is satisfactory in xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity and uric acid lowering activity and has no structure derived from any nucleic acid. The compound hence has an advantage that it is safer and more effective than conventional compounds. The compound is useful as a therapeutic or preventive agent for hyperuricemia, gout, inflammatory intestinal diseases, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, etc.