Oxaprozin - Oral

Oxaprozin helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to provide relief in adults who have osteoarthritis (a joint disorder where the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness) and rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles).

This medicine may also be used to provide relief in children who have rheumatoid arthritis.

Take Oxaprozin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this medicine with or without food. To reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause, you may take this medicine with food.

Oxaprozin is available as a capsule or tablet.

Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water.

You may stop taking this medicine when you no longer feel any pain.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Do not take Oxaprozin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine, aspirin, or similar painkillers such as naproxen and meloxicam.

Alert your doctor if you have a history of asthma, hives, or other allergic reactions after taking aspirin or similar painkillers as Oxaprozin may not be suitable for you.

This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• heart problem e.g. recent heart attack, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
• history of stomach bleeding or ulcers
• high blood pressure
• low volume of circulating fluids in the body
• asthma
• blood-clotting disorder
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Notify your doctor if you smoke.

If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Oxaprozin.

Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.

For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests. Routine monitoring of your blood pressure during treatment may also be needed.

Oxaprozin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, constipation, stomach wind, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
• weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth, or eyes accompanied by fever

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. naproxen, meloxicam
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin
• corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines) e.g. prednisolone
• medicines for mood disorders e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. lisinopril, losartan, metoprolol, propranolol
• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
• digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
• lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
• methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
• ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Oxaprozin.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the side effects caused by Oxaprozin.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.