Flurbiprofen Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 3, 2024.

Applies to flurbiprofen: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet)

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.

Flurbiprofen is contraindicated in the setting of CABG surgery.

NSAIDs 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 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:

Less common side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• bladder pain
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• bloody or cloudy urine
• constipation
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• frequent urge to urinate
• lower back or side pain
• rash
• severe stomach pain
• swelling
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Rare side effects

• back or leg pains
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloody diarrhea
• bloody nose
• blurred vision
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cough
• cracks in the skin
• dark urine
• decreased urine output
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness
• extreme fatigue
• fast heartbeat
• feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
• feeling of warmth or heat
• fever with or without chills
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• greatly decreased frequency of urination
• headache
• high fever
• hives or itching
• hoarseness
• increased blood pressure
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• irregular breathing
• irregular heartbeat
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• loss of heat from the body
• muscle pain
• nausea
• nervousness
• noisy breathing
• nosebleeds
• pale skin
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• red, swollen skin
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
• scaly skin
• severe or continuing stomach pain
• severe sunburn
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach bloating or cramping
• stomach upset
• sweating
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• swollen or painful glands
• tenderness in the stomach area
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting
• weight gain
• weight loss
• yellow eyes or skin

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:

Less common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• changes in vision
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ear
• diarrhea
• discouragement
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• fear
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling sad or empty
• full feeling
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hearing loss
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• lightheadedness
• loss of interest or pleasure
• loss of memory
• passing gas
• problems with memory
• runny nose
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness
• sneezing
• stomach discomfort
• stuffy nose
• tremor
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Rare side effects

• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• confusion
• discharge or excessive tearing
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• transient, mild, pleasant aromatic odor
• twitching

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]

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.

Medical Disclaimer