Drug Database - Nalfon

Generic Name: fenoprofen (fen-oh-PROE-fen)

Brand Names: Nalfon®

Classification: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Issue Date: 1988

Nalfon is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nalfon works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Nalfon is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis. Nalfon may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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 Nalfon for adults is 3 grams (3000 mg) per day. Know the amount of Nalfon in the specific product you are taking.

If you take Nalfon 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 Nalfon. Store Nalfon at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

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 Nalfon, or if you have:

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

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Nalfon:

• 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 nos
• if you smoke

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Nalfon is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking Nalfon during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take Nalfon 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 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.

Overdose symptoms 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 Nalfon (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 Nalfon. 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.

Side Effects

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 Nalfon 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
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness

Less serious side effects may include:

• 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
• ringing in your ears

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as:

• citalopram (Celexa)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• sertraline (Zoloft)
• venlafaxine (Effexor)

Taking any of these drugs with Nalfon may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Before taking Nalfon, tell your doctor if you are taking:

• yclosporine (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
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as:
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• nabumetone (Relafen)
• naproxen (Aleve
• Naprosyn)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• piroxicam (Feldene)
• and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Nalfon. 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.