Nalfon

 
Generic Name: fenoprofen

Brands: Nalfon, Nalfon 200

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

· Take Nalfon with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.

· Do not crush, chew, or break Nalfon capsules. Swallow them whole.

· Contact your doctor if you experience blood in vomit or bloody, black, or tarry stools. These symptoms could indicate damage to the stomach or intestines, which could be dangerous.

· Many over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, and pain medicines contain aspirin or other medicines similar to Nalfon (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and others). Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your doctor and pharmacist.

· Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, Nalfon may increase the risk of dangerous stomach bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking Nalfon if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day.

 

What is Nalfon?

· Nalfon is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nalfon works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

· Nalfon is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and injury.

· Nalfon may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

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

· 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 disease,     ·have 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 Nalfon, 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 Nalfon will be harmful to an unborn baby. Nalfon should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take Nalfon without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· It is not known whether Nalfon passes into breast milk. Do not take Nalfon without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

 

How should I take Nalfon?

· Take Nalfon exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Take Nalfon with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.

· Do not crush, chew, break, or open Nalfon capsules. Swallow them whole.

· Store Nalfon at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· If you are taking Nalfon on a regular schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

· If you are taking Nalfon as needed, take the missed dose if it is needed, then wait the recommended or prescribed amount of time before taking another dose.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

· Symptoms of a Nalfon overdose may include nausea, vomiting and 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 Nalfon?

· Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Nalfon may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

· Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, Nalfon may increase the risk of dangerous stomach bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking Nalfon if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day.

· Many over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, and pain medicines contain aspirin or other medicines similar to Nalfon (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and others). Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your doctor and pharmacist.

 

What are the possible side effects of Nalfon?

· Contact your doctor if you experience blood in vomit or bloody, black, or tarry stools. These symptoms could indicate damage to the stomach or intestines, which could be dangerous.

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Nalfon and seek medical attention 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;     ·decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;     ·yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice); or     ·abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Nalfon and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·dizziness or headache;     ·nausea, 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 Nalfon?

· Before taking Nalfon, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:     ·aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), diflunisal (Dolobid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate (Trilisate, Tricosal, others), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others);     ·another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT), ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);     ·an over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, Nalfon, or ketoprofen;     ·an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);     ·a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);     ·insulin or an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase), and others;     ·probenecid (Benemid);     ·lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); or     ·bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol.

· You may not be able to take Nalfon, 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 Nalfon. 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 Nalfon written for health professionals that you may read.

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