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Ansaid Consumer Information

ANSAID

Generic Name: flurbiprofen (flure BI proe fen)

Brand Names: Ansaid

What is the most important information I should know about flurbiprofen?

• Take flurbiprofen with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to your gastrointestinal tract.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, flurbiprofen may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

What is flurbiprofen?

• Flurbiprofen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Flurbiprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
• Flurbiprofen is used to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by arthritis.
• Flurbiprofen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flurbiprofen?

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
• have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
• have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,
• drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
• have liver or kidney disease,
• have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
• have congestive heart failure,
• have fluid retention,
• have heart disease, or
• have high blood pressure.
• You may not be able to take flurbiprofen, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• It is not known whether flurbiprofen will be harmful to an unborn baby. Flurbiprofen should not be taken in late pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take flurbiprofen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether flurbiprofen passes into breast milk. Do not take this drug without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take flurbiprofen?

• Take flurbiprofen exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Take each dose with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Store flurbiprofen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a flurbiprofen overdose include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking flurbiprofen?

• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Flurbiprofen may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, flurbiprofen may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

What are the possible side effects of flurbiprofen?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking flurbiprofen and seek medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;
• ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;
• rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
• seizures;
• black, bloody or tarry stools
• blood in urine or vomit;
• decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take flurbiprofen and talk to your doctor if you experience
• dizziness or headache;
• nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation;
• depression;
• fatigue or weakness;
• dry mouth; or
• irregular menstrual periods.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect flurbiprofen?

• Before taking flurbiprofen, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
• another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
• aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate;
• a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
• an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);
• an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta); or
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others).
• You may not be able to take flurbiprofen, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with flurbiprofen. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about flurbiprofen written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 6.01. Revision date: 7/29/03.