Oxaprozin

Oxaprozin is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Oxaprozin is also used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 6 years of age and older. Oxaprozin is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

Oxaprozin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. Take oxaprozin at around the time(s) each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take oxaprozin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Oxaprozin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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vomiting</li>
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gas or bloating</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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difficulty sleeping</li>
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confusion</li>
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depression</li>
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dizziness</li>
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headache</li>
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ringing in the ears</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more oxaprozin until you speak to your doctor:

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unexplained weight gain</li>
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fever</li>
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blisters</li>
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rash</li>
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itching</li>
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hives</li>
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swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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lack of energy</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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pain in the upper right part of the stomach</li>
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flu-like symptoms</li>
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pale skin</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine</li>
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back pain</li>
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difficult or painful urination</li></ul>Oxaprozin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking oxaprozin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxaprozin, aspirin, or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); diuretics ('water pills'); glyburide (DiBeta, Micronase); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and methotrexate (Rheumatrex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or ever had asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or kidney or liver disease. talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking oxaprozin if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should take lower doses of oxaprozin for only a short time period because higher doses used regularly may not be more effective and are more likely to cause serious side effects. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oxaprozin. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Oxaprozin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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lack of energy</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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vomiting</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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bloody, black, or tarry stools</li>
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vomiting a substance that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds</li>
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difficulty breathing</li>
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seizures</li>
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coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)</li></ul>