What it's for (Indications)
- Flurbiprofen is used to treat pain and inflammation associated with various conditions, including rheumatic and muscular pain, sprains, strains, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Dosage Information
| Type | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Standard | The dosage should be carefully considered, aiming for the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. For rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, the recommended dosage is 200 to 300 mg per day, divided for administration two, three, or four times a day. The largest recommended single dose in a multiple-dose daily regimen is 100 mg. Flurbiprofen can be taken with or without meals. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible; however, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule. Always use exactly as prescribed by a doctor. |
Safety & Warnings
Common Side Effects
- Common side effects may include nausea, headache, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, edema, and signs/symptoms suggesting urinary tract infection.
- Localized reactions such as erythema (skin redness), pruritus (itching), dermatitis (skin inflammation), and photosensitivity may also occur.
Serious Warnings
- Black Box Warning: WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (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 tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Patients should be advised about potential serious risks, including cardiovascular thrombotic events (myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal), serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation (potentially fatal), hepatotoxicity, hypertension, heart failure and edema, renal toxicity and hyperkalemia, anaphylactic reactions, serious skin reactions, and hematologic toxicity.
- Precautions include informing the doctor about a medical history, especially heart problems, liver problems, kidney problems, asthma, high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, and alcoholism.
- Alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment.
- Patients experiencing dizziness should avoid driving or operating machinery.
- For pregnant women, flurbiprofen should be used only if no safer alternative is available, and consultation with a doctor is essential.
- It passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on nursing infants, thus consultation with a doctor before breastfeeding is advised.
- This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age; consult a doctor for further information.
- While rarely habit-forming, individuals with a history of addiction should consult a doctor.
- The lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals should always be used.
How it Works (Mechanism of Action)
Flurbiprofen exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Its mechanism of action, similar to other NSAIDs, involves the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), which leads to a decrease in prostaglandin synthesis in peripheral tissues. Prostaglandins are known to sensitize afferent nerves, potentiate bradykinin in inducing pain, and act as mediators of inflammation.