fenoprofen

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking fenoprofen. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Fenoprofen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Fenoprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Fenoprofen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.

Fenoprofen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to fenoprofen, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease;
• a stomach ulcer or inflammatory bowel disease; or
• a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Before taking fenoprofen, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding, bowel problems, diverticulosis;
• liver or kidney disease;
• asthma;
• polyps in your nose; or
• if you smoke.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use fenoprofen, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking fenoprofen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take fenoprofen during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.

Fenoprofen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 14 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. The maximum amount of fenoprofen for adults is 3 grams (3000 mg) per day. Know the amount of fenoprofen in the specific product you are taking.

If you take fenoprofen for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using fenoprofen.

Store fenoprofen at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a fenoprofen overdose may include nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, fever, urinating less than usual or not at all, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain medicines similar to fenoprofen (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking fenoprofen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Fenoprofen can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking fenoprofen and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• confusion, tremors or shaking;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• pain, burning, or bleeding when you urinate;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.

Keep taking fenoprofen and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation; bloating, gas;
• dizziness, headache, nervousness;
• skin itching or rash;
• dry mouth;
• increased sweating, runny nose;
• blurred vision; or
• ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking fenoprofen, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);
• aspirin or salicylates such as Doan's Pills, Dolobid, and others;
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• seizure medication such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton) or phenytoin (Dilantin);
• a sulfa drug such as Bactrim or Septra;
• oral diabetes medications such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl, Duetact, Avandaryl), and others; or
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use fenoprofen or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect fenoprofen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has information about fenoprofen written for health professionals that you may read.

Fenoprofen is available with a prescription under the brand name Nalfon. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.