People's Pharmacy

Ansaid

Generic Name:flurbiprofen

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Side Effects and Interactions

Without question, the most common side effects or arthritis drugs such as Ansaid involve the gastrointestinal tract.

They include nausea, indigestion, heartburn, cramps, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Even ulcers and intestinal bleeding are a possibility.

These problems occasionally occur without obvious preliminary symptoms, leading to a sudden life-threatening crisis due to perforation of the stomach lining.

Older people appear to be more susceptible to this problem and should be monitored carefully. Warning signs may include weight loss, persistent indigestion, a feeling of fullness after moderate meals, dark or tarry stools, anemia and unusual fatigue.

Home stool tests such as Hemoccult or Fleet Detecatest may provide an early indication of bleeding.

Other side effects to be alert for include headache, ringing in the ears, rash, itching, difficulty breathing and fluid retention. Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and confusion are possible; do not drive if you become impaired.

Less commonly Ansaid may produce jitteriness, insomnia, heart palpitations, hair loss, depression, tremor, tiredness, visual disturbances, and sores in the mouth.

Some people become sensitive to sunlight while on Ansaid, so use an effective sunscreen, stay covered or avoid the sun.

Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.

Ansaid can affect both the kidney and liver, so periodic blood tests to monitor the function of these organs is important.

This medication may adversely interact with alcohol and many other drugs, including aspirin, beta-blocker heart or blood pressure medicine, blood thinners, Lasix and similar diuretics, lithium and methotrexate.

Over-the-counter pain medicines like Motrin IB or Aleve should be avoided while you are on Ansaid.

Check with your pharmacist and physician to make sure Ansaid is safe in combination with any other drugs you take.