Nalfon Side Effects

Generic name: fenoprofen

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 6, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Nalfon Side Effects associated with fenoprofen. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Nalfon.

Applies to fenoprofen: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the 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 raise 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. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing or speaking, headache, nausea, 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, if you are over 60 years old, are in poor health, or are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner).

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: 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.

Possible warning signs of some serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual weight gain, yellow skin or eyes, decreased urination, bleeding or bruising, or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur such as chest pain, tightness in the chest, fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of the skin, weakness, or slurring of speech. 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.

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).

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Check with your doctor if you start having ringing in your ears or trouble hearing while you are using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your ears checked by an ear doctor especially when you are using this medicine for a long time.

Before having any kind of surgery or medical tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. It may be necessary for you to stop treatment for a while, or to change to a different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug before your procedure.

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. .

Common side effects of Nalfon

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:

Serious side effects of Nalfon

Along with its needed effects, fenoprofen (the active ingredient contained in Nalfon) 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:

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 adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

Nalfon 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