Flurbiprofen Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 8, 2024.

Applies to flurbiprofen: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may increase 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. Tell your doctor if you have chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, slurred speech, unusual sweating, or faintness.

This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or are using certain other medicines (such as steroids or a blood thinner).

Check with your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems including dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, or yellow skin or eyes.

Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms while using the medicine: blood in the urine, change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine, difficulty with breathing, drowsiness, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, or swelling of the feet or lower legs. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without warning. However, possible warning signs are including black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, decreased urination, severe stomach pain, skin rash, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual weight gain, or yellow skin or eyes . Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur such as chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, slurring of speech, tightness in the chest, unusual flushing or warmth of the skin, or weakness. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients who are allergic to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in skin color of the face, very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse, hive-like swellings on the skin, and puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency help at once.

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loose skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are using this medicine. a

Using this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after your treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of flurbiprofen

Along with its needed effects, flurbiprofen 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 flurbiprofen:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking flurbiprofen:

Symptom of overdose

• change in consciousness
• fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• heartburn
• loss of consciousness
• pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects of flurbiprofen

Some side effects of flurbiprofen 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to flurbiprofen: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal (GI) in nature and included abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia/heartburn, flatulence, GI bleeding, nausea, and vomiting.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia/heartburn, flatulence, GI bleeding, nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Bloody diarrhea, esophageal disease, gastric/peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, hematemesis, stomatitis, glossitis, colitis, dry mouth, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease, exacerbation of Crohn's disease, exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, small intestine inflammation with blood and protein loss, GI perforation, duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis, ulcerative stomatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, reflexes increased, tremor, central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, CNS inhibition, amnesia, somnolence
• Frequency not reported: Ataxia, cerebrovascular ischemia, paresthesia, convulsion, cerebrovascular accident, hypertonia, subarachnoid hemorrhage, dizziness/vertigo, parosmia, taste changed, retrobulbar neuritis, optic neuritis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, asthenia, malaise, tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Chills, fever, periodontal abscess, meningitis, aseptic meningitis, herpes simples, herpes zoster, ear disease, transient hearing loss, fatigue^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis
• Frequency not reported: Asthma, epistaxis, bronchitis, dyspnea, hyperventilation, laryngitis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarct, bronchospasm^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated liver enzymes
• Frequency not reported: Cholestatic jaundice, noncholestatic jaundice, hepatitis, cholecystitis, liver failure, abnormal liver function^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Interstitial nephritis, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Ecchymosis, purpura, angioedema, eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity, pruritus, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria, alopecia, dry skin, nail disorder, sweating, bullous dermatoses, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vision changes
• Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis, corneal opacity, glaucoma, retinal hemorrhage, visual disturbance^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, depression
• Frequency not reported: Confusion, emotional lability, hallucinations^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, anemia, bleeding time increased, neutropenia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, hypertension, vascular diseases, vasodilation, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
• Frequency not reported: Hematuria, menstrual disturbances, vaginal hemorrhage, uterine hemorrhage, vulvovaginitis, prostate disease^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Body weight changes
• Frequency not reported: Appetite changes, hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Twitching, myasthenia^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Which painkiller should you use?

Further information

Flurbiprofen 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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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