Fenoprofen

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of NALFON tablets, USP and other treatment options before deciding to use NALFON tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). NALFON tablets are indicated: • For relief of mild to moderate pain in adults. • For relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. • For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of NALFON tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use NALFON tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). After observing the response to initial therapy with NALFON tablets, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs. Analgesia For the treatment of mild to moderate pain, the recommended dosage is 200 mg given orally every 4 to 6 hours, as needed. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis For the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis the recommended dose is 400 mg to 600 mg given orally, 3 or 4 times a day. The dose should be tailored to the needs of the patient and may be increased or decreased depending on the severity of the symptoms. Dosage adjustments may be made after initiation of drug therapy or during exacerbations of the disease. Total daily dosage should not exceed 3200 mg. NALFON tablets may be administered with meals or with milk. Although the total amount absorbed is not affected, peak blood levels are delayed and diminished. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis generally seem to require larger doses of NALFON tablets than do those with osteoarthritis. The smallest dose that yields acceptable control should be employed. Although improvement may be seen in a few days in many patients, an additional 2 to 3 weeks may be required to gauge the full benefits of therapy.

ADVERSE REACTIONS During clinical studies for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or mild to moderate pain and studies of pharmacokinetics, complaints were compiled from a checklist of potential adverse reactions, and the following data emerged. These encompass observations in 6,786 patients, including 188 observed for at least 52 weeks. For comparison, data are also presented from complaints received from the 266 patients who received placebo in these same trials. During short-term studies for analgesia, the incidence of adverse reactions was markedly lower than that seen in longer-term studies. Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in ≥ 1% of Patients During Clinical Trials Digestive System: During clinical trials with fenoprofen calcium, the most common adverse reactions were gastrointestinal in nature and occurred in 20.8% of patients receiving fenoprofen as compared to 16.9% of patients receiving placebo. In descending order of frequency, these reactions included dyspepsia (10.3% fenoprofen vs. 2.3% placebo), nausea (7.7% vs. 7.1%), constipation (7% vs. 1.5%), vomiting (2.6% vs. 1.9%), abdominal pain (2% vs. 1.1%) and diarrhea (1.8% vs. 4.1%). The drug was discontinued because of adverse gastrointestinal reactions in less than 2% of patients during premarketing studies. Nervous System: The most frequent adverse neurologic reactions were headache (8.7% vs. 7.5%) and somnolence (8.5% vs. 6.4%). Dizziness (6.5% vs. 5.6%), tremor (2.2% vs. 0.4%) and confusion (1.4% vs. none) were noted less frequently. Fenoprofen was discontinued in less than 0.5% of patients because of these side effects during premarketing studies. Skin and Appendages: Increased sweating (4.6% vs. 0.4%), pruritus (4.2% vs. 0.8%) and rash (3.7% vs. 0.4%) were reported. Fenoprofen was discontinued in about 1% of patients because of an adverse effect related to the skin during premarketing studies. Special Senses: Tinnitus (4.5% vs. 0.4%), blurred vision (2.2% vs. none) and decreased hearing (1.6% vs. none) were reported. Fenoprofen was discontinued in less than 0.5% of patients because of adverse effects related to the special senses during premarketing studies. Cardiovascular: Palpitations (2.5% vs. 0.4%). Fenoprofen was discontinued in about 0.5% of patients because of adverse cardiovascular reactions during premarketing studies. Miscellaneous: Nervousness (5.7% vs. 1.5%), asthenia (5.4% vs. 0.4%), peripheral edema (5% vs. 0.4%), dyspnea (2.8% vs. none), fatigue (1.7% vs. 1.5%), upper respiratory infection (1.5% vs. 5.6%) and nasopharyngitis (1.2% vs. none). Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in < 1% of Patients During Clinical Trials Digestive System: Gastritis, peptic ulcer with/without perforation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, anorexia, flatulence, dry mouth and blood in the stool. Increases in alkaline phosphatase, LDH, SGOT, jaundice and cholestatic hepatitis, aphthous ulcerations of the buccal mucosa, metallic taste and pancreatitis (see PRECAUTIONS ). Cardiovascular: Atrial fibrillation, pulmonary edema, electrocardiographic changes and supraventricular tachycardia. Genitourinary Tract: Renal failure, dysuria, cystitis, hematuria, oliguria, azotemia, anuria, interstitial nephritis, nephrosis and papillary necrosis (see WARNINGS ). Hyper sensitivity: Angioedema (angioneurotic edema). Hematologic: Purpura, bruising, hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis and pancytopenia. Nervous System: Depression, disorientation, seizures and trigeminal neuralgia. Special Senses: Burning tongue, diplopia and optic neuritis. Skin and Appendages: Exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and alopecia. Miscellaneous: Anaphylaxis, urticaria, malaise, insomnia, tachycardia, personality change, lymphadenopathy, mastodynia and fever.

Drug Interactions ACE Inhibitors Reports suggest that NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors. This interaction should be given consideration in patients taking NSAIDs concomitantly with ACE inhibitors. Aspirin The coadministration of aspirin decreases the biologic half-life of fenoprofen because of an increase in metabolic clearance that results in a greater amount of hydroxylated fenoprofen in the urine. Although the mechanism of interaction between fenoprofen and aspirin is not totally known, enzyme induction and displacement of fenoprofen from plasma albumin binding sites are possibilities. As with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of NALFON tablets and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects. Diuretics Clinical studies, as well as post-marketing observations, have shown that NALFON tablets can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. During concomitant therapy with NSAIDs, the patient should be observed closely for signs of renal failure (see WARNINGS: Renal Effects ), as well as to assure diuretic efficacy. Lithium NSAIDs have produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15% and the renal clearance was decreased by approximately 20%. These effects have been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by the NSAID. Thus, when NSAIDs and lithium are administered concurrently, subjects should be observed carefully for signs of lithium toxicity. Methotrexate NSAIDs have been reported to competitively inhibit methotrexate accumulation in rabbit kidney slices. This may indicate that they could enhance the toxicity of methotrexate. Caution should be used when NSAIDs are administered concomitantly with methotrexate. Warfarin The effects of warfarin and NSAIDs on GI bleeding are synergistic, such that users of both drugs together have a risk of serious GI bleeding higher than users of either drug alone. Phenobarbital Chronic administration of phenobarbital, a known enzyme inducer, may be associated with a decrease in the plasma half-life of fenoprofen. When phenobarbital is added to or withdrawn from treatment, dosage adjustment of NALFON tablets may be required.