Nalfon

Nalfon is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain and relieve symptoms of arthritis such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.

This drug will only offer symptomatic relief of pain. This drug requires a prescription.

If you are about to start using Nalfon, speak with your doctor about what you need to know. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications.

Studies in children below 18 years of age regarding the correlation of age to the effects of fenoprofen have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established.

Studies in the elderly have not demonstrated any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of fenoprofen. Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women and animals are still inadequate.

Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about potential risks and benefits of taking this drug while breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

• Oral corticosteroids
• Anticoagulants
• Alcohol
• Warfarin
• Diuretics
• ACE inhibitors
• Aspirin
• Loop or Thiazide diuretics
• Lithium
• Methotrexate
• Phenobarbital
• Hydantoins
• Sulfonamides
• or Sulfonylureas

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems such as anemia, asthma, bleeding problems, blood clots, edema, heart attack, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, liver disease, stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding, stroke, aspirin sensitivity, or heart surgery.

Proper usage of Nalfon requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. To prevent any side effects, take this drug exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Take this drug regularly if you have severe or continuing arthritis. This drug usually begins to work within one week, but in severe cases up to two weeks or even longer may pass before you begin to feel better. Also, several weeks may pass before you feel the full effects of this drug.

Take this drug with food or milk to prevent upsetting your stomach. The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed.

The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug.

• Adults with mild to moderate pain are given 200 milligrams every four to six hours as needed. Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional.
• Adults with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are initially given 300 or 600 mg three or four times a day. Your healthcare professional may increase or decrease your dose as needed. The dose must not exceed 3200 mg per day.
• Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional.

A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

In using Nalfon, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness and unwanted effects of the drug.

Unwanted effects can be screened using blood and urines tests. People with heart disease may have a risk of having a heart attack or stroke while taking this drug. A higher risk is also associated with prolonged use.

This drug may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines especially if you have a stomach ulcer in the past if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other drugs.

Check with your healthcare professional right away if you have symptoms of:

• serious skin reactions such as blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
• chills, cough
• diarrhea
• fever, itching
• joint or muscle pain
• red skin lesions
• a sore throat, sores, ulcers
• white spots in mouth or on lips
• or unusual tiredness or weakness
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs
• severe stomach pain
• black, tarry stools
• and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• unusual weight gain
• yellow skin or eyes
• decreased urination
• bleeding or bruising, and/or skin rash

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you experience signs of serious heart problems such as:

• chest pain, tightness in chest, fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of skin, weakness, or slurring of speech.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis such as:

• very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, wheezing, or fainting, 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.

Inform your healthcare professional immediately if you have become pregnant while taking this drug since this drug has Teratogenic potential.

Your may be referred to an ophthalmologist to have your eyes checked. This drug may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normal.

Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Be careful in taking this drug before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Check with your healthcare professional if you start having to ring in your ears or trouble hearing while you are using this drug.

Inform your healthcare professional that you are taking this drug before having any kind of surgery or medical tests.

It is recommended to stop treatment for a while, or to change to a different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug before your procedure.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Nalfon. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

• headache
• abdominal pain
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blurred vision
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears decreased hearing
• difficult or labored breathing, fast, irregular, pounding or racing heartbeat or pulse
• hearing loss
• itching skin
• rapid weight gain
• rash
• shortness of breath
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of hands or feet
• unusual weight gains or loss
• wheezing
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• black or red, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in vomit
• bloody or cloudy urine, bloody stools
• burning feeling in chest or stomach
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• coughing up blood
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty in swallowing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fever with or without chills
• frequent urge to urinate
• general body swelling
• greatly decreased frequency or amount of urine
• hoarseness
• increased blood pressure
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• nosebleeds
• not able to pass urine
• pale skin
• paralysis
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red or dark brown urine
• redness of the skin
• severe or continuing stomach pain, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in the mouth, stomach upset
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs swelling of hands, legs, and feet, swollen or painful glands
• tenderness in the stomach area
• troubled breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear.

Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional.

Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.