Dexibuprofen - Oral

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

This medicine may also be used to treat mild to moderate pain associated with headaches or toothache, and pain during the menstrual period.

Dexibuprofen may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Dexibuprofen 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.

You may stop taking Dexibuprofen 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 Dexibuprofen if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to dexibuprofen, aspirin or other similar painkillers.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of bleeding or perforation in the gut that is related to previous use of NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
• history of asthma, hives, or other allergic reactions after taking aspirin or similar painkillers
• active or history of stomach ulcer or bleeding
• serious active bleeding in other areas of the body
• active stomach or bowel disease e.g. Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that usually affects the small intestine and colon), ulcerative colitis (a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the linings of the large intestine and rectum)
• severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
• severe kidney disease
• severe liver disease

as this medicine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Dexibuprofen if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Dexibuprofen may cause harm to your unborn child.

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 disease e.g. mild to moderate heart failure
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol levels in the blood
• diabetes
• blood-clotting disorder
• asthma and other lung problems
• rhinitis (inflammation of the inside lining of the nose caused by allergens)
• porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
• systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
• history of stomach or bowel disease
• mild to moderate kidney disease
• mild to moderate liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Dexibuprofen to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Notify your doctor if you smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol, or if you are a frequent alcohol drinker.

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

Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.

For as long as you are taking Dexibuprofen, 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.

Dexibuprofen may cause drowsiness, dizziness, 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, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, ringing in the ears, and tiredness.

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
• change in eyesight, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, change in balance or coordination
• 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
• frequent sore throat, mouth sores, fever, chills or sweating
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• 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 medicines used to relieve pain and inflammation e.g. ketorolac
• corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicine) e.g. prednisolone
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin, ticlopidine
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. atenolol, losartan
• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, eplerenone
• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
• medicines to treat depression
• certain antibiotics
• methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
• phenytoin (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
• digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
• lithium (medicine for mood disorders)

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

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 Dexibuprofen.

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

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.