Fenoprofen (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING

People who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as fenoprofen may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than people who do not take these medications.These events may happen without warning and may cause death. This risk may be higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke,if you smoke,and if you have or have ever had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Get emergency medical help right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in one part or side of the body, or slurred speech.

If you will be undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG; a type of heart surgery), you should not take fenoprofen right before or right after the surgery.

NSAIDs such as fenoprofen may cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine. These problems may develop at any time during treatment, may happen without warning symptoms, and may cause death. The risk may be higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time, are older in age, have poor health, or drink large amounts of alcohol while taking fenoprofen. Tell your doctor if you take any of the following medications: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); or oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone). Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcers, bleeding in your stomach or intestines, or other bleeding disorders. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking fenoprofen and call your doctor: stomach pain, heartburn, vomiting a substance that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds, blood in the stool, or black and tarry stools.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms carefully and will probably order certain tests to check your body's response to fenoprofen. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling so that your doctor can prescribe the right amount of medication to treat your condition with the lowest risk of serious side effects.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with fenoprofen and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/cder) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Why this medication is prescribed

Fenoprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Fenoprofen is also used to relieve mild to moderate pain from other causes. Fenoprofen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

How this medication should be used

Fenoprofen comes as a capsule and a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a full glass of water three or four times a day for arthritis or every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. Fenoprofen can be taken with meals or milk to reduce stomach upset. Your doctor may also recommend that you take fenoprofen with an antacid to reduce stomach upset. If you take fenoprofen regularly, take it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fenoprofen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are taking fenoprofen to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, your symptoms may begin to improve within a few days. It may take 2-3 weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of fenoprofen.

Other uses for this medicine

Fenoprofen is also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine) and gouty arthritis (attacks of severe joint pain and swelling caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints). It is also sometimes used to reduce fever. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication to treat your condition.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions

Before taking fenoprofen:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fenoprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in fenoprofen capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); oral medications for diabetes ; methotrexate (Rheumatrex); phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin); and sulfa antibiotics such as sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin) and sulfamethoxazole (in Bactrim, in Septra). *Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs ; a hearing impairment; anemia (blood cells do not bring enough oxygen to all parts of the body); or liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fenoprofen, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking fenoprofen.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

Special dietary instructions

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Minor side effects

Fenoprofen may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• nervousness
• drowsiness
• sweating
• constipation
• ringing in the ears

Severe side effects

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more fenoprofen until you speak to your doctor.

• blurred vision
• shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control
• unexplained weight gain
• fever
• blisters
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• pale skin
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination

Fenoprofen may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• heartburn
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• unsteadiness or difficulty balancing
• headache
• ringing in the ears
• shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control
• drowsiness
• confusion

Other information

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand name

• Nalfon