Oxaprozin: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

What is oxaprozin used for?

Oxaprozin is commonly used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Oxaprozin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does oxaprozin work (mechanism of action)?

Oxaprozin works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause pain, inflammation, and fever.

How is oxaprozin supplied (dosage forms)?

Oxaprozin is available as Coxanto and generic oxaprozin in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

300 mg oral capsules
600 mg oral tablets

How should I store oxaprozin?

Oxaprozin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep the bottle tightly closed away from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of oxaprozin?

The most common side effects of oxaprozin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Constipation
Diarrhea
Nausea
Rash
Indigestion

There may be other side effects of oxaprozin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of oxaprozin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of oxaprozin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Oxaprozin can cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain
Dark colored urine
Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Heart Attack and Stroke. Oxaprozin can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is increased in people with existing heart disease and with longer use of oxaprozin and higher doses. Do not take oxaprozin if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Chest pain or pressure
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
Sudden weakness on one side of your body
Sudden and severe headache
Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Bleeding. Oxaprozin can increase your risk for bleeding, especially if you have a bleeding disorder or take other medicines that increase your risk for bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any signs of bleeding, including easy bruising or bleeding.

Stomach Bleeding. Oxaprozin can increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, take higher doses of oxaprozin or take it for longer than directed, have poor health, are age 60 or older, have liver disease, smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain other medicines. Stop taking oxaprozin and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

Vomit blood
Black or tarry stool
Stomach pain that does not go away
Upset stomach
Feel faint

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking oxaprozin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

Nausea or vomiting
Stomach or belly pain
Fever
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Itching
Loss of appetite
Light-colored poop
Dark-colored urine
Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Oxaprozin may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

Sudden severe headache
Chest pain
Dizziness or confusion
Trouble breathing
Nausea/vomiting
Blurry or other changes to vision
Anxiety
Buzzing in the ears
Nosebleed
Feeling of skipped heart beats

Heart Failure. Oxaprozin may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Unusually fast weight gain
Unusual tiredness

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking oxaprozin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

Reduced need to pee
Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
Confusion
Nausea
Seizures

Severe Skin Reactions. Oxaprozin can cause severe skin reactions called Exfoliative Dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop oxaprozin and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
Red, painful, watery eyes

Anemia. Oxaprozin may cause anemia, which is a condition that causes low levels of red blood cells. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

Unusual weakness or tiredness
Cold hands and feet
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Pale or yellowish skin
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
Shortness of breath

High Potassium Level (Hyperkalemia). Oxaprozin may cause a condition called hyperkalemia. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a high potassium level.

Irregular heartbeat
Muscle weakness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use oxaprozin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use oxaprozin.

Daypro
Coxanto
Aspirin or any other medicine known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific oxaprozin products they stock.

Heart Surgery. Do not take oxaprozin right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Taking oxaprozin during this time can increase your risk for heart attack or stroke.

What should I know about oxaprozin before using it?

Do not take oxaprozin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share oxaprozin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep oxaprozin out of the reach of children.

People aged 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of oxaprozin. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Oxaprozin can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using oxaprozin?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if oxaprozin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Heart problems such as heart failure or a recent heart attack
Bleeding problems
Kidney or liver problems
Fluid retention (edema)
Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach problems like heartburn
High blood pressure
Asthma
Stroke

Other Medicines and Supplements. Oxaprozin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking oxaprozin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take oxaprozin at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy without talking to your healthcare provider. Taking oxaprozin during this time may cause harm to an unborn baby and complications during delivery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use oxaprozin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if oxaprozin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take oxaprozin while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does oxaprozin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between oxaprozin and foods or nonalcoholic drinks.

Drinking alcohol while taking oxaprozin increases your risk for stomach ulcers and bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does oxaprozin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart conditions
A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to reduce blood pressure
Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products including those for pain, swelling, and fever
A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions.
Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
Pemetrexed (Alimta, Pemfexy), which is a medicine to treat certain cancers
A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression.
Glyburide (Diabeta and others), a medicine for diabetes.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ketoprofen. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Oxaprozin interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much oxaprozin?

If you or someone else has taken too much oxaprozin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of oxaprozin?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.