Fenoprofen (fen-oh-PROE-fen)

Treats pain, including pain caused by arthritis. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID).

Brand Name(s):

Nalfon

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk, so it does not upset your stomach.
• Use this medicine for the shortest time possible and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.
• Most people will start to feel less pain right away, but you might need up to three weeks before you get the full effect of this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other names are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also usin a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), a steroid such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, Orapred®, or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), torsemide, Demadex®, Lasix®.
• Tell your doctor if you are also using phenobarbital, medicine to treat an infection (a "sulfa" drug), such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, Cotrim®, Septra®, or diabetes medicine that you take by mouth, such as glyburide, Glucotrol®, Glucovance®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have liver disease or anemia.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), or other heart or circulation problems.
• This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.
• This medicine might cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner).
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or if you have ever had kidney problems caused by an NSAID medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Bloody or black, tarry or stools.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Pain or burning when you urinate, blood in your urine, fever, muscle pain.
• Severe stomach pain.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.
• Yellowing of your skin or the white of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild nausea or stomach pain.