How should this medicine be used?
Oxaprozin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a 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.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking oxaprozin,
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxaprozin, aspirin or other medications for pain or arthritis, or any other drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diuretics ('water pills'), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for diabetes or arthritis, methotrexate, metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart, or kidney disease; high blood pressure; any stomach problems; or any other gastrointestinal disease.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking oxaprozin, call your doctor.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oxaprozin.
* you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
* remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Oxaprozin may cause an upset stomach. Take oxaprozin with food or milk.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from oxaprozin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* headache
* dizziness
* nervousness
* upset stomach
* stomach pain or cramps
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* constipation
* gas
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
* bloody vomit
* bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
* ringing in the ears
* vision changes
* swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
* skin rash
* itching
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
