Flurbiprofen, Oral Tablet

Other warnings

• Allergic reaction warning: This medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include hives, rash, trouble breathing, swelling of your throat or tongue, or chest pain. Don’t take flurbiprofen if you’ve had any of these reactions or asthma after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
• High blood pressure warning: Flurbiprofen can cause increased blood pressure in people who don’t already have high blood pressure or worsen existing high blood pressure.
• Kidney damage warning: Using this medication long term can cause kidney damage. Seniors are at increased risk for this damage.

Flurbiprofen is a prescription medication. It comes as an oral tablet and as an eye drop.

Flurbiprofen oral tablet is only available as a generic drug. It doesn’t have a brand-name version.

Why it’s used

Flurbiprofen is used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How it works

Flurbiprofen works to reduce inflammation and pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Flurbiprofen oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with flurbiprofen include:

• constipation
• gas
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• heartburn
• upset stomach

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Chest pain or heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
  • shortness of breath
  • sweating
  • fatigue
  • heartburn
  • arm pain
• Stroke. Symptoms can include:
  • weakness in one part or side of your body
  • slurred speech
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in your arms and legs or hands and feet, or unusual weight gain
• Bleeding and ulcers in your stomach and intestines. Symptoms can include:
  • blood in your urine or vomit
  • black or bloody stools
  • nausea or vomiting
  • severe stomach pain
  • coughing up blood
• Skin reactions, including rash or blisters
• Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
  • itching
  • swelling of your face or throat
  • skin rash
  • hives
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • feeling unusually weak or tired
• Asthma attacks. Symptoms can include:
  • trouble breathing
  • wheezing

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Flurbiprofen oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with flurbiprofen are listed below.

Corticosteroids

Taking corticosteroids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, with flurbiprofen can increase your risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding.

Cancer drug

Taking pemetrexed with flurbiprofen can increase your risk of infection, kidney problems, and stomach issues.

Heart drug

Taking digoxin with flurbiprofen can increase the levels of digoxin in your body. If you take these drugs together, your doctor may monitor your digoxin levels.

Transplant drug

Taking cyclosporine with flurbiprofen can increase the levels of cyclosporine in your body, which can cause kidney problems. If you take these drugs together, your doctor should monitor your kidney function.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

Taking methotrexate with flurbiprofen can increase the levels of methotrexate in your body. This can result in kidney problems and an increased risk of infection.

Anticoagulant/blood thinner

Taking warfarin with flurbiprofen increases your risk of stomach bleeding.

Bipolar disorder medication

Taking lithium with flurbiprofen can cause amounts of lithium in your blood to increase to dangerous levels. Symptoms of lithium toxicity may include tremors, excessive thirst, or confusion. If you take these drugs together, your doctor may monitor your lithium levels.

Blood pressure drugs

Taking these medications with flurbiprofen may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of these drugs. Examples of these drugs include:

• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as benazepril and captopril
• beta-blockers, such as propranolol and atenolol

Diuretics (water pills)

Taking certain diuretics with flurbiprofen can decrease the effect of these drugs. Examples of these diuretics include:

• hydrochlorothiazide
• furosemide

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Flurbiprofen is an NSAID. Combining it with other NSAIDs may increase your risk of side effects, such as stomach bleeding or ulcers. Examples of NSAIDs include:

• aspirin
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• etodolac
• diclofenac
• fenoprofen
• ketoprofen
• tolmetin
• indomethacin
• meloxicam

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Flurbiprofen can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue
• hives

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol and smoking warning

Drinking alcohol while taking flurbiprofen can irritate your stomach. This can lead to ulcers or bleeding from your stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. Smoking also increases your risk of these problems.

Before starting this drug, tell your doctor if you smoke cigarettes or have more than three alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with heart disease: If you have heart disease or are at risk of heart disease, you shouldn’t take flurbiprofen. It may increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.

For people with high blood pressure or heart failure: Flurbiprofen can cause high blood pressure or make high blood pressure worse. In addition, flurbiprofen may worsen heart failure by increasing fluid retention and edema (swelling). Your doctor may monitor you closely if you have high blood pressure or heart failure while you take flurbiprofen.

For people with stomach problems: This medication increases your risk of ulcers and stomach bleeding if you have a history of these conditions.

For people with kidney disease: Your body may not be able to remove flurbiprofen as well as it should. This can cause the medication to build up in your body, which could cause more side effects.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: There are no studies of flurbiprofen in pregnant women. However, it’s been shown that using flurbiprofen in the third trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of a heart condition in the fetus. For this reason, avoid use during pregnancy starting at 30 weeks of gestation.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

For women who are breastfeeding: Flurbiprofen has been shown to pass through breast milk. This could cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop using flurbiprofen.

For seniors: People aged 65 years and older are at risk of increased stomach problems and kidney failure when taking this drug. If you’re older than 65 years, your doctor may adjust your dosage.

For children: The safety and effectiveness of flurbiprofen haven’t been established in people under the age of 18 years.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Flurbiprofen

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg

Dosage for osteoarthritis

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

• Typical dosage: 200–300 mg per day, divided into 2 to 4 evenly spaced doses.
• Maximum individual dose: Don’t take more than 100 mg as a single dose.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years)

Dosage for people younger than 18 years hasn’t been established.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

• Typical dosage: 200–300 mg per day, divided into 2 to 4 evenly spaced doses.
• Maximum individual dose: Don’t take more than 100 mg as a single dose.

Your doctor will likely start dosing at the low end of the dosing range and monitor for negative effects.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

• Typical dosage: 200–300 mg per day, divided into 2 to 4 evenly spaced doses.
• Maximum individual dose: Don’t take more than 100 mg as a single dose.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years)

Dosage for people younger than 18 years hasn’t been established.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

• Typical dosage: 200–300 mg per day, divided into 2 to 4 evenly spaced doses.
• Maximum individual dose: Don’t take more than 100 mg as a single dose.

Your doctor will likely start dosing at the low end of the dosing range and monitor for negative effects.

Special dosage considerations

For people with kidney disease: Your dosage of flurbiprofen may need to be lowered.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Flurbiprofen is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed by your doctor.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: You may have more pain caused by your condition.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

• drowsiness
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, wait and take a single dose at the usual time.

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should notice a decrease in pain and swelling. Tell your doctor if your symptoms don’t get better.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes flurbiprofen for you.

General

• Take flurbiprofen with food and a glass of water. This can help lower your risk of getting an upset stomach or an ulcer.
• Take your dose at regular intervals. For instance, if your doctor prescribes flurbiprofen three times a day, take each dose eight hours apart.
• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store flurbiprofen at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

If you’re taking flurbiprofen long term, your doctor may do a blood test to check for signs of bleeding. They may also monitor you for signs of stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcers. In addition, they may monitor your blood pressure.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.