Ibuprofen and famotidine Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Ibuprofen and famotidine (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 1, 2022.

Oral route(Tablet)

NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. Famotidine/ibuprofen is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events .

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Duexis

Available Dosage Forms:

- Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Musculoskeletal Agent

Pharmacologic Class: NSAID

Chemical Class: Propionic Acid (class)

## Uses for ibuprofen and famotidine

Ibuprofen and famotidine combination is used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is used for patients who have an increased risk for stomach ulcers and who need to take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for arthritis.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat pain, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Famotidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist or H2-blocker. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

Ibuprofen and famotidine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

## Before using ibuprofen and famotidine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ibuprofen and famotidine, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ibuprofen and famotidine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ibuprofen and famotidine combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ibuprofen and famotidine combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart, stomach, or kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ibuprofen and famotidine.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ibuprofen and famotidine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using ibuprofen and famotidine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Ketorolac
- Levoketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone

Using ibuprofen and famotidine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Abciximab
- Acalabrutinib
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acenocoumarol
- Amiloride
- Amineptine
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Amprenavir
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Apixaban
- Apomorphine
- Ardeparin
- Argatroban
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin
- Atazanavir
- Balsalazide
- Bemiparin
- Bendroflumethiazide
- Benzthiazide
- Betamethasone
- Betrixaban
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Bivalirudin
- Bromfenac
- Budesonide
- Bufexamac
- Bumetanide
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
- Cangrelor
- Celecoxib
- Ceritinib
- Certoparin
- Chloroquine
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clonixin
- Clopamide
- Clopidogrel
- Clothiapine
- Clozapine
- Cortisone
- Crizotinib
- Cyclopenthiazide
- Cyclosporine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dabrafenib
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Dasatinib
- Deflazacort
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Delavirdine
- Desipramine
- Desirudin
- Deslorelin
- Desmopressin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexamethasone
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diazoxide
- Dibenzepin
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digoxin
- Dipyridamole
- Dipyrone
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Dothiepin
- Doxepin
- Droxicam
- Duloxetine
- Edoxaban
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Enoxaparin
- Entrectinib
- Eplerenone
- Epoprostenol
- Eptifibatide
- Erlotinib
- Escitalopram
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Feverfew
- Fexinidazole
- Fingolimod
- Floctafenine
- Fluconazole
- Flufenamic Acid
- Fluocortolone
- Fluoxetine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Formoterol
- Fosamprenavir
- Foscarnet
- Fostemsavir
- Furosemide
- Gefitinib
- Ginkgo
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Gossypol
- Heparin
- Histrelin
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydroflumethiazide
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Iloprost
- Imipramine
- Indapamide
- Indomethacin
- Infigratinib
- Inotersen
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Ketoprofen
- Ledipasvir
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Lepirudin
- Leuprolide
- Levofloxacin
- Levomilnacipran
- Lithium
- Lofepramine
- Lofexidine
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumacaftor
- Lumiracoxib
- Macimorelin
- Magnesium Salicylate
- Meadowsweet
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Melitracen
- Meloxicam
- Mesalamine
- Methadone
- Methotrexate
- Methyclothiazide
- Methylprednisolone
- Metolazone
- Metronidazole
- Milnacipran
- Mirtazapine
- Mobocertinib
- Morniflumate
- Moxifloxacin
- Nabumetone
- Nadroparin
- Nafarelin
- Naproxen
- Nefazodone
- Nepafenac
- Neratinib
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Olsalazine
- Ondansetron
- Opipramol
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Ozanimod
- Pacritinib
- Panobinostat
- Paramethasone
- Parecoxib
- Parnaparin
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pemetrexed
- Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
- Pentoxifylline
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenyl Salicylate
- Piketoprofen
- Pimavanserin
- Piroxicam
- Pitolisant
- Polythiazide
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Potassium Citrate
- Prasugrel
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Protein C
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Reboxetine
- Reviparin
- Ribociclib
- Rilpivirine
- Rivaroxaban
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylamide
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Secretin Human
- Selpercatinib
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Sibutramine
- Siponimod
- Sodium Salicylate
- Solifenacin
- Sotalol
- Sotorasib
- Spironolactone
- Sulfasalazine
- Sulindac
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Tenoxicam
- Tianeptine
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- Tizanidine
- Tolazoline
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Torsemide
- Trazodone
- Treprostinil
- Triamterene
- Trichlormethiazide
- Triclabendazole
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Trolamine Salicylate
- Valdecoxib
- Vandetanib
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vilazodone
- Vinflunine
- Vismodegib
- Voclosporin
- Vorapaxar
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin
- Xipamide
- Zuclopenthixol

Using ibuprofen and famotidine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Acebutolol
- Alacepril
- Amikacin
- Atenolol
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Benazepril
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Candesartan
- Captopril
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Cefditoren Pivoxil
- Cefpodoxime Proxetil
- Celiprolol
- Cilazapril
- Cyclosporine
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Eprosartan
- Esmolol
- Fosinopril
- Irbesartan
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Lisinopril
- Losartan
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Moexipril
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Olmesartan
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Perindopril
- Pindolol
- Practolol
- Propranolol
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Sotalol
- Spirapril
- Telmisartan
- Timolol
- Trandolapril
- Valsartan
- Zofenopril

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ibuprofen and famotidine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Anemia or
- Bleeding problems or
- Congestive heart failure or
- Crohn's disease, history of or
- Dehydration or
- Edema (fluid retention or swelling) or
- Heart attack, recent or history of or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Hypovolemia (low amount of blood) or
- Liver disease or
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding, history of or
- Stroke, history of or
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease) or
- Ulcerative colitis, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Aspirin-sensitive asthma or
- Aspirin sensitivity, history of or
- Kidney disease, severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

- Dehydration or
- Hypovolemia—Must be corrected first before using ibuprofen and famotidine.

- Heart surgery (eg, coronary artery bypass graft [CABG])—Should not be used to relieve pain right before or after the surgery.

- Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of famotidine from the body.

## Proper use of ibuprofen and famotidine

Use ibuprofen and famotidine exactly as ordered by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than ordered by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of unwanted effects, especially in elderly patients.

Ibuprofen and famotidine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, divide, or chew it.

Ibuprofen and famotidine contains ibuprofen. Do not take ibuprofen and famotidine with other products containing ibuprofen.

Do not substitute ibuprofen and famotidine with single-ingredient products of ibuprofen and famotidine. Use only the brand of ibuprofen and famotidine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

### Dosing

The dose of ibuprofen and famotidine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of ibuprofen and famotidine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

- For oral dosage form (tablets):
  - For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis:
    - Adults—1 tablet (800 milligrams (mg) ibuprofen and 26.6 mg famotidine) 3 times a day.
    - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

### Missed dose

If you miss a dose of ibuprofen and famotidine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

### Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Detailed Famotidine / ibuprofen dosage information

## Precautions while using ibuprofen and famotidine

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits while you are using ibuprofen and famotidine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Ibuprofen may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use ibuprofen and famotidine for a long time might also have a higher risk. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, slurred speech, or weakness.

Ibuprofen may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This problem can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or are using certain other medicines (eg, steroids or a blood thinner).

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using ibuprofen and famotidine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

If you are rapidly gaining weight, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort, extreme tiredness or weakness, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, or excessive swelling of the hands, wrist, ankles, or feet, check with your doctor immediately. These may be symptoms of heart problems or your body keeping too much water.

Check with your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine, decrease in the frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using ibuprofen and famotidine. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.

Ibuprofen and famotidine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using ibuprofen and famotidine.

Serious skin reactions, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with ibuprofen and famotidine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, fever, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness and weakness.

Using ibuprofen and famotidine during the later part of pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using ibuprofen and famotidine, tell your doctor right away.

Ibuprofen and famotidine may cause a delay in ovulation for women and may affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using ibuprofen and famotidine.

Some people who have used ibuprofen and famotidine had symptoms of meningitis. If you have fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck or back while using ibuprofen and famotidine, check with your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after your treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Before having any kind of surgery or medical tests, tell your doctor that you are using ibuprofen and famotidine. It may be necessary for you to stop the medicine for a while, or to change to a different medicine before your procedure.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Ibuprofen and famotidine side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

Less common

- Bladder pain
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- blurred vision
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- cloudy urine
- constipation
- cough
- dark-colored urine
- diarrhea
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- heartburn
- indigestion
- itching or rash
- joint pain
- light-colored stools
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- nervousness
- pale skin
- pounding in the ears
- rapid weight gain
- runny nose
- severe stomach pain
- shivering
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sore throat
- stomach pain, cramping, or burning
- sweating
- tingling of the hands or feet
- trouble sleeping
- trouble breathing
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight gain or loss
- vomiting
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- change in consciousness
- confusion as to time, place, or person
- cracks in the skin
- darkening of the skin
- depression
- dry mouth
- fainting
- hallucinations
- holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
- loss of consciousness
- loss of heat from the body
- pain in the lower back or side
- pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red, swollen skin
- scaly skin
- seizures
- severe headaches of sudden onset
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- stiff neck or back
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden onset of slurred speech
- sudden vision changes
- swollen glands
- thirst
- unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

Some side effects 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:

Less common

- Back pain
- belching
- body aches or pain
- cough producing mucus
- difficulty having a bowel movement
- difficulty with moving
- ear congestion
- loss of voice
- muscle stiffness
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- sneezing
- stuffy nose

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Famotidine / ibuprofen side effects (more detail)

## More about famotidine / ibuprofen

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (48)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Ibuprofen and Famotidine

#### Other brands

Duexis

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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