Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication a doctor may prescribe for management of inflammation in patients with arthritis. Patients regularly take this drug to suppress inflammation and deal with ongoing arthritis flareups. It can be hazardous when taken in the long term, and it is important to note all health and safety information on the packaging to make sure the drug is appropriate for use.
Manufacturers produce this drug in oral tablets of various dosages for different patient needs. People on flurbiprofen can experience side effects like headaches, sleep problems, tremors, depression, and stomach upset. This medication can cause liver and kidney damage, leading to bloody urine, difficulty urinating, or excessive thirst. Patients should report severe side effects to their doctors to discuss how to proceed. The doctor may recommend an adjustment to the dosage or a change of medication to prevent further damage, and will make a note in the patient's chart to avoid prescribing the medication again.
Like other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, flurbiprofen can cause lesions in the stomach and intestine. These can cause severe health complications. Bloody diarrhea or vomit, intense pain, and prolonged stomach upset may be signs of ulcers caused by this medication. This drug can also cause heart and circulatory problems, particularly in people with a history of heart conditions, and a doctor may not recommend it in such patients out of concern for potential complications.
This drug can also interact negatively with other drugs, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines. When patients meet with doctors to discuss a plan for managing arthritis, they should discuss all the drugs they are taking and provide a detailed medical history. This information will help the doctor decide on the best course of treatment for the arthritis. If patients need to start taking a new medication while using flurbiprofen for inflammation, they should make sure the prescribing doctor is aware in case there is a drug conflict.
Patients should store their flurbiprofen in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets. It is important to make other members of the household aware that this pain killer should not be used by people without a prescription. It needs to be taken under medical supervision in case a patient develops severe side effects, and could cause injuries to patients who take it without a thorough medical evaluation. These could include stomach ulcers and organ damage.
