Uses
Oxaprozin is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Oxaprozin is also used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 6 years of age and older. Oxaprozin is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.
Side Effects Of Oxaprozin
Oxaprozin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- vomiting
- gas or bloating
- drowsiness
- difficulty sleeping
- confusion
- depression
- dizziness
- headache
- ringing in the ears
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more oxaprozin until you speak to your doctor:
- unexplained weight gain
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet, or legs
- fever
- blisters
- rash
- itching
- hives
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, or hands
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- lack of energy
- excessive tiredness
- upset stomach
- loss of appetite
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- flu-like symptoms
- pale skin
- fast heartbeat
- cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
- back pain
- difficult or painful urination
Oxaprozin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking oxaprozin:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxaprozin, aspirin, or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in oxaprozin tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as azilsartan (Edarbi, in Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (in Exforge HCT); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); diuretics (‘water pills’); glyburide (Glynase, Micronase); lithium (Lithobid); and methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or ever had asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps; heart failure; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking oxaprozin, call your doctor.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking oxaprozin if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should take lower doses of oxaprozin for only a short time period because higher doses used regularly may not be more effective and are more likely to cause serious side effects.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oxaprozin.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Oxaprozin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Oxaprozin Dosage
Oxaprozin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. Take oxaprozin at around the time(s) each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take oxaprozin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Other
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking oxaprozin.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
