Note: This document contains side effect information about fenoprofen. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Nalfon.

Summary

Common side effects of Nalfon include: drowsiness and headache. Other side effects include: asthenia, constipation, dizziness, dyspepsia, heartburn, myalgia, myasthenia, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, prolonged bleeding time, pruritus, and vomiting. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to fenoprofen: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Nalfon

Along with its needed effects, fenoprofen (the active ingredient contained in Nalfon) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fenoprofen:

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blurred vision
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• decreased hearing
• difficult or labored breathing
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• hearing loss
• itching skin or rash
• rapid weight gain
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• black or red, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in vomit
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bloody stools
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• coughing up blood
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fever with or without chills
• frequent urge to urinate
• general body swelling
• greatly decreased frequency or amount of urine
• hoarseness
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• nosebleeds
• not able to pass urine
• pale skin
• paralysis
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red or dark brown urine
• redness of the skin
• severe or continuing stomach pain
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach upset
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• swelling of the hands, legs, and feet
• swollen or painful glands
• tenderness in the stomach area
• troubled breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• yellow eyes or skin

Symptom of overdose

• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• rapid, deep breathing
• restlessness
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• stomach cramps
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Other side effects of Nalfon

Some side effects of fenoprofen may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• constipation
• headache
• heartburn
• lack or loss of strength
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach discomfort

Less common

• Body aches or pain
• cough
• ear congestion
• increased sweating
• loss of voice
• mood or mental changes
• muscle aches
• sneezing
• stuffy or runny nose
• tremor

Rare

• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• trouble sleeping

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to fenoprofen: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral tablet.

General

The most frequently reported side effects were dyspepsia, headache, somnolence, nausea, dizziness, constipation, nervousness, asthenia, and peripheral edema.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (10.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea

Frequency not reported: Gastritis, peptic ulcer, peptic ulcer with perforation, gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, GI bleeding, flatulence, dry mouth, blood in stool, buccal mucosa aphthous ulcerations, pancreatitis, burning tongue, melena, hematemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, Crohn's disease exacerbated, colitis exacerbated^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations

Frequency not reported: Atrial fibrillation, electrocardiographic changed, supraventricular tachycardia, tachycardia, hypertension, cardiac failure^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Renal failure, cystitis, azotemia, interstitial nephritis, nephrosis, papillary necrosis, nephrotoxicity, nephrotic syndrome^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Dysuria, hematuria, oliguria, anuria, mastodynia, breast pain^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: SGOT/AST increased, jaundice, cholestatic hepatitis, abnormal liver function^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis

Frequency not reported: Pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, somnolence, dizziness, tremor

Frequency not reported: Taste metallic, seizure, trigeminal neuralgia, paresthesia, drowsiness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, nervousness

Frequency not reported: Depression, disorientation, insomnia, personality changed, hallucinations^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Sweating increased, pruritus, rash

Frequency not reported: Angioedema, purpura, bruising, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, alopecia, urticaria, photosensitivity, sweating increased^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, neutropenia^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Tinnitus, decreased hearing, asthenia, peripheral edema, fatigue

Frequency not reported: Alkaline phosphatase increased, LDH increased, malaise, fever, aseptic meningitis, tinnitus, hearing decreased, vertigo, aseptic meningitis^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Vision blurred

Frequency not reported: Diplopia, optic neuritis, vision disturbed, optic neuritis, amblyopia, diplopia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Anorexia^[Ref]