Fenoprofen Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 4, 2023.

Applies to fenoprofen: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

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.

Common 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

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

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]

Further information

Fenoprofen side effects can vary depending on the individual. 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.

Medical Disclaimer