duexis

Duexis contains a combination of famotidine and ibuprofen. Famotidine is a histamine blocker. Famotidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Duexis is a combination drug used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen treats the symptoms of arthritis. Famotidine helps reduce the risk of ulcers in the stomach or intestines that can be caused by long-term use of ibuprofen.

Duexis may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Duexis if you are allergic to ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), famotidine (Pepcid), aspirin, other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or other stomach acid reducers (such as Tagamet, Zantac, or Axid). Do not use Duexis if you are more than 29 weeks (7 months) pregnant. Taking ibuprofen during this time may harm the unborn baby.

Before you take Duexis, tell your doctor if you have a stomach or intestinal disorder, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, nasal polyps, liver or kidney disease, lupus, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, or a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. Also tell your doctor if you smoke.

Ibuprofen may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use Duexis just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

Ibuprofen may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning, especially in older adults.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Duexis just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Ibuprofen may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term.

Ibuprofen may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning, especially in older adults.

You should not use Duexis if you are allergic to ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or famotidine (Pepcid), or if you have:

• a history of asthma, hives, or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID, such as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;

• if you are allergic to other stomach acid reducers such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid); or

• if you are more than 29 weeks (7 months) pregnant.

To make sure you can safely take Duexis, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• Crohn"s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or ulcerative colitis;

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

• asthma;

• polyps in your nose;

• liver or kidney disease;

• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or

• if you smoke.

Famotidine and ibuprofen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Duexis without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

FDA pregnancy category C. Do not take Duexis if you are more than 7 months pregnant. Taking ibuprofen during this time may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Duexis. Do not give Duexis to a child without the advice of a doctor.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Duexis?

Take Duexis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Duexis is usually taken 3 times each day. Follow your doctor"s instructions.

Do not take more Duexis than is recommended. An overdose of ibuprofen can cause damage to your stomach or intestines. The maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800 milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses). Use only the smallest amount of ibuprofen needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever. Do not crush, chew, or break a Duexis tablet. Swallow it whole.

If you have hypertension, your blood pressure will need to be checked often. If you use Duexis long-term, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using it suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about using less and less of the steroid before stopping completely.

Store Duexis at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness, rapid back and forth eye movements, pale skin and blue lips or fingernails, and fainting.

What should I avoid?

Avoid using other medications that contain ibuprofen.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much ibuprofen. Check the label to see if a medicine contains ibuprofen or similar NSAIDs (aspirin, naproxen, ketoprofen). Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Duexis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Duexis: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Duexis and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• sweating, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort that may spread to the arm, shoulder, back, or jaw;

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, redness or swelling in your face, redness or swelling of your hands or feet, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling;

• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or

• severe headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, and/or seizure (convulsions).

Less serious Duexis side effects may include:

• upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;

• bloating, gas;

• headache;

• throat irritation;

• blurred vision, changes in color vision; or

• mild back pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Duexis?

Ask your doctor before using an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

While taking Duexis tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

• aspirin or other NSAIDs such as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;

• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);

• heart or blood pressure medicine such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others; or

• steroids (oral, nasal, or inhaled).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Duexis. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.