Fenoprofen Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 12, 2023.
Applies to fenoprofen: oral capsule, oral tablet.
Warning
Oral route (Capsule)
NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. Fenoprofen is contraindicated in the setting of CABG surgery. NSAIDs also cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.
Serious side effects of Fenoprofen
Along with its needed effects, fenoprofen may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fenoprofen:
Less common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- blurred vision
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- decreased hearing
- difficult or labored breathing
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- hearing loss
- itching skin or rash
- rapid weight gain
- tightness in the chest
- tingling of the hands or feet
- unusual weight gain or loss
Rare
- Back, leg, or stomach pains
- black or red, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in vomit
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bloody stools
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- coughing up blood
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fever with or without chills
- frequent urge to urinate
- general body swelling
- greatly decreased frequency or amount of urine
- hoarseness
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- increased thirst
- indigestion
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- nausea
- nosebleeds
- not able to pass urine
- pale skin
- paralysis
- pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red or dark brown urine
- redness of the skin
- severe or continuing stomach pain
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stomach upset
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- swelling of the hands, legs, and feet
- swollen or painful glands
- tenderness in the stomach area
- troubled breathing
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- yellow eyes or skin
Symptom of overdose
- Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- rapid, deep breathing
- restlessness
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- stomach cramps
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
Other side effects of Fenoprofen
Some side effects of fenoprofen may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- constipation
- headache
- heartburn
- lack or loss of strength
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach discomfort
Less common
- Body aches or pain
- cough
- ear congestion
- increased sweating
- loss of voice
- mood or mental changes
- muscle aches
- sneezing
- stuffy or runny nose
- tremor
Rare
- General feeling of discomfort or illness
- trouble sleeping
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to fenoprofen: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral tablet.
General
The most frequently reported side effects were dyspepsia, headache, somnolence, nausea, dizziness, constipation, nervousness, asthenia, and peripheral edema.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (10.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea
Frequency not reported: Gastritis, peptic ulcer, peptic ulcer with perforation, gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, GI bleeding, flatulence, dry mouth, blood in stool, buccal mucosa aphthous ulcerations, pancreatitis, burning tongue, melena, hematemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, Crohn's disease exacerbated, colitis exacerbated[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations
Frequency not reported: Atrial fibrillation, electrocardiographic changed, supraventricular tachycardia, tachycardia, hypertension, cardiac failure[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Renal failure, cystitis, azotemia, interstitial nephritis, nephrosis, papillary necrosis, nephrotoxicity, nephrotic syndrome[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Dysuria, hematuria, oliguria, anuria, mastodynia, breast pain[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: SGOT/AST increased, jaundice, cholestatic hepatitis, abnormal liver function[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis
Frequency not reported: Pulmonary edema[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, somnolence, dizziness, tremor
Frequency not reported: Taste metallic, seizure, trigeminal neuralgia, paresthesia, drowsiness[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, nervousness
Frequency not reported: Depression, disorientation, insomnia, personality changed, hallucinations[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating increased, pruritus, rash
Frequency not reported: Angioedema, purpura, bruising, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, alopecia, urticaria, photosensitivity, sweating increased[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reaction[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, neutropenia[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Tinnitus, decreased hearing, asthenia, peripheral edema, fatigue
Frequency not reported: Alkaline phosphatase increased, LDH increased, malaise, fever, aseptic meningitis, tinnitus, hearing decreased, vertigo, aseptic meningitis[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Vision blurred
Frequency not reported: Diplopia, optic neuritis, vision disturbed, optic neuritis, amblyopia, diplopia[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Anorexia[Ref]
More about fenoprofen
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- Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
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References
1. Product Information. Nalfon (fenoprofen). Xspire Pharma. 2002;PROD.
2. MHRA. Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency. MHRA Drug Safety Update. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/DrugSafetyUpdate 2013.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
