Flurbiprofen

FLURBIPROFEN

Manufacturer: Medsource pharmaceuticals

Score: 141.0

Quick Summary

Flurbiprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The recommended dose is 200 to 300 mg per day, divided into two, three, or four doses. Flurbiprofen has a boxed warning for increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, and gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to flurbiprofen, history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, and in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Special population considerations include use during pregnancy, nursing mothers, pediatric use, and geriatric use.

Key Clinical Findings and Indications

Relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis

Important Safety Information

Warning

Increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events and gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to flurbiprofen
History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs
Setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Adverse Reactions

Cardiovascular thrombotic events
Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation
Hepatotoxicity
Hypertension
Heart failure and edema
Renal toxicity and hyperkalemia
Anaphylactic reactions
Serious skin reactions
Hematologic toxicity

Dosing Recommendations

General Guidance

Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals

Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis

Adult Dose

200 to 300 mg per day, divided into two, three, or four doses

Pediatric Dose

Not established

Special Population Considerations

Pregnancy

Use of NSAIDs, including flurbiprofen, during the third trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus
Avoid use of NSAIDs, including flurbiprofen, in pregnant women starting at 30 weeks of gestation

Nursing Mothers

Flurbiprofen is poorly excreted into human milk
The nursing infant dose is predicted to be approximately 0.1 mg/day in the established milk of a woman taking flurbiprofen 200 mg/day

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established

Geriatric Use

Elderly patients, compared to younger patients, are at greater risk for NSAID-associated serious cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and/or renal adverse reactions
Start dosing at the low end of the dosing range and monitor patients for adverse effects