Flurbiprofen vs Ibuprofen

Flurbiprofen vs Ibuprofen – detailed comparison:

Flurbiprofen

It is the generic name of a drug that belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It can be found under the brand name of Ansaid.

Mechanism of Action

It works by stopping the body’s production of a substance that causes inflammation and pain.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis as well as to reduce or prevent changes in the eye that can occur during eye surgery.

Note – it is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 200 mg to 300 mg orally per day in 2 to 4 divided doses. The maximum single dose is 100 mg.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness;
• vomiting;
• itching or rash;
• nausea;
• increased sweating;
• stomach pain;
• ringing in your ears;
• indigestion;
• dizziness;
• feeling nervous;
• headache;
• constipation;
• diarrhea;
• tremors;
• confusion.

Rare side effects may include:

• changes in your vision;
• rapid weight gain;
• swelling in your face, feet, ankles, or tongue;
• shortness of breath;
• rapid heart rate;
• coughing up vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• loss of appetite;
• bloody or tarry stools;
• a purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling;
• clay-colored stools;
• burning in your eyes;
• trouble concentrating;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• painful or difficult urination;
• upper stomach pain.

Contraindications

Before taking this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• asthma;
• high blood pressure;
• kidney disease;
• fluid retention;
• high LDL cholesterol;
• liver disease;
• a history of stomach bleeding;
• a history of heart attack;
• heart disease.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of severe side effects.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

• Zoloft (sertraline);
• Benicar (olmesartan);
• warfarin;
• Cymbalta (duloxetine);
• Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol);
• Dexamethasone;
• Prozac;
• Lasix (furosemide);
• gatifloxacin.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Do not use this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug if you are pregnant since it may harm the developing fetus, especially during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

It is not known exactly whether this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug passes into human breast milk or if it could negatively affect a breastfed infant. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding a baby before using this medication.

Ibuprofen

It is the generic name of a medication that belongs to a group of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It can be found under the brand name of Motrin or Advil.

This medication is produced by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, an American medical products company that belongs to the Johnson & Johnson healthcare group.

Uses

This drug is used to lower high temperature, relieve the symptoms of fever and arthritis, and some types of pain, including:

• backaches;
• headaches;
• muscular pain;
• sprains and strains;
• menstrual pain;
• toothaches;
• nerve pain (neuralgia);
• migraines.

Mechanism of Action

This medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works by reducing the production of prostaglandins.

The US Food and Drug Administration first approved it under the Motrin brand in 1974.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• upset stomach;
• nervousness;
• ringing in the ears;
• dizziness;
• vomiting;
• nausea;
• mild itching or rash;
• bloating;
• excessive gas;
• constipation;
• mild heartburn.

Less common side effects may include:

• sore throat;
• rapid weight gain;
• rapid heart rate;
• feeling light-headed;
• yellowing of the skin or eyes;
• trouble concentrating;
• little or no urinating;
• shortness of breath;
• loss of appetite;
• coughing up blood;
• swelling of the ankles, face, tongue, or feet;
• burning in the eyes;
• dark urine;
• changes in your vision;
• clay-colored stools;
• skin pain followed by a purple skin rash;
• painful urination;
• bloody or tarry stools.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Since there are no well-controlled clinical studies in pregnant women, this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is best to be avoided, especially in late pregnancy, because of the risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetal heart.

It is not known exactly whether this medication passes into human breast milk or if it could negatively affect a breastfed infant. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding a baby before using it.

Dosage

To reduce pain, the usual recommended dosage for an adult is 200 to 400 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as required.

Contraindications

Before taking this medication, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• high cholesterol;
• heart disease;
• a history of blood clot;
• asthma;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• high blood pressure;
• diabetes;
• fluid retention;
• a history of stomach ulcers;
• a connective tissue disease.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

• Eliquis (apixaban);
• Stirbild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir);
• antidepressants, like – Paxil (paroxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram);
• beta-blockers, such as – Zebeta (bisoprolol) or Coreg (carvedilol);
• other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as – Celebrex (celecoxib) or Relafen (nabumetone);
• blood thinners, such as – Pradaxa (dabigatran) or Coumadin (warfarin);
• cancer drugs, like – Alimta (Pemetrexed);
• aspirin (both pill and suppository forms).

Alcohol

It is not recommended to drink alcoholic beverages while taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Doing so could trigger potentially serious side effects.

READ MORE: Baclofen vs Soma

Bottom Line – Flurbiprofen vs Ibuprofen

Flurbiprofen (brand name – Ansaid) is a medication that is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Ibuprofen (brand names – Motrin, Advil, and Ibuprin) is a medication that works by inhibiting prostaglandins, chemicals that can cause inflammation in the body. It belongs to a group of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is used to lower high temperature, relieve the symptoms of fever and arthritis, and some types of pain.

According to a 1990 study, NSAIDs produce greater initial analgesia than steroids, whereas steroids result in less loss of function and greater suppression of swelling.

Regarding their price, the average retail price for 90 tablets of flurbiprofen 100mg is $30, while the average retail price for 90 tablets of ibuprofen 800mg is $12.

READ THIS NEXT: Meclizine vs Diphenhydramine

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2187910
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3514310
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15761938