An anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID)
Fenoprofen
An anti-inflammatory painkiller used for pain and arthritis.
What is Fenoprofen?
Fenoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (an NSAID) used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, such as in arthritis and other painful conditions. Like other NSAIDs, it can irritate the stomach and cause ulcers or bleeding, can affect the kidneys (and is known for occasionally causing a kidney problem called interstitial nephritis), and carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly at higher doses or with long-term use. It is taken with or after food and used at the lowest effective amount for the shortest time. It is largely a US product rather than one routinely used in the UK.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Fenoprofen — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Fenoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a group of medicines that ease pain and reduce inflammation. It is used for painful and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, as well as other aches and pains. It works in the same way as other NSAIDs and shares their family of cautions. It is largely a US product and is not a routine choice in the UK, where other NSAIDs are more commonly used, but the principles of how it is used and its risks are the same.
How it works
Fenoprofen works by blocking enzymes called cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which the body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals that drive pain, swelling and fever. Reducing prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation. Because the same prostaglandins help protect the stomach lining and support blood flow to the kidneys, blocking them can cause stomach irritation and affect the kidneys. Fenoprofen is particularly noted for occasionally affecting the kidneys through inflammation of the kidney tissue (interstitial nephritis), which is one reason kidney function may be checked with use.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used for pain and arthritis; it is largely a US product rather than a routine UK one.
What it treats
Conditions Fenoprofen is used for
Practical use
How to take Fenoprofen
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it with or after food to reduce the chance of stomach upset.
- Use the lowest amount that controls your symptoms for the shortest time needed.
- Drink enough fluids and tell your doctor about any change in urination or swelling, as it can affect the kidneys.
- Tell your pharmacist or doctor about other medicines, as some combinations increase the risk of bleeding or kidney problems.
- Get medical advice before taking it if you have stomach, heart, kidney or liver problems or asthma.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Fenoprofen
Advantages
- Effectively relieves pain and reduces inflammation in conditions such as arthritis.
- Taken by mouth and works in the same well-understood way as other NSAIDs.
- A long-established medicine with experience of use.
Disadvantages
- Can irritate the stomach and, less commonly, cause ulcers or bleeding.
- Can affect the kidneys, including occasionally causing interstitial nephritis, and carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Can raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention, so is not suitable for everyone.
Practical use
Good to know
Fenoprofen is best taken with or after food to lower the chance of stomach upset, and it is used at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed. The main safety points are shared by NSAIDs: it can irritate the stomach and, less commonly, cause ulcers or bleeding, it can affect the kidneys, and it carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, especially at higher doses or with long-term use. It can also raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention. Fenoprofen has a particular reputation for occasionally causing a kidney problem called interstitial nephritis, so any change in how much you pass urine, or swelling, should be reported. Tell your prescriber about other medicines, as combining NSAIDs with blood thinners, steroids or some blood-pressure medicines increases risks, and get advice first if you have stomach, heart, kidney or liver problems, asthma made worse by painkillers, or are pregnant.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction, asthma attack or skin reaction to fenoprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs should not use it.
- People with a current or past stomach ulcer or bleeding from NSAIDs should usually avoid it.
- It is generally avoided in significant kidney problems, severe heart or liver failure, and in the later part of pregnancy.
- It is used with caution in older people and those with heart disease, high blood pressure or asthma.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether it is still needed and using it for the shortest time.
- Checking kidney function and blood pressure with longer-term use.
- Watching for signs of stomach bleeding or kidney problems.
Side effects
- Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea or diarrhoea.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Kidney problems, including occasionally inflammation of the kidney tissue (interstitial nephritis).
- Less commonly, stomach ulcers or bleeding; rarely, raised blood pressure, fluid retention, or serious allergic or skin reactions.
Key interactions
- Other NSAIDs, including aspirin, and steroids increase the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding.
- Blood thinners such as warfarin or DOACs increase the risk of bleeding when combined with it.
- It can reduce the effect of some blood-pressure medicines and water tablets, and increase the risk of kidney problems with ACE inhibitors or diuretics.
Available as: Tablets and capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Fenoprofen: frequently asked questions
What is fenoprofen used for?
It is an anti-inflammatory painkiller used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, such as in arthritis and other painful conditions.
Why should I take it with food?
Taking it with or after food helps reduce stomach upset, as NSAIDs can irritate the stomach lining and, less commonly, cause ulcers or bleeding.
Can it affect my kidneys?
Yes, like other NSAIDs it can affect the kidneys, and fenoprofen is particularly noted for occasionally causing a kidney problem called interstitial nephritis, so report changes in urination or swelling.
Does it affect the heart?
It carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, especially at higher doses or with long-term use, so it is used at the lowest effective amount for the shortest time.
Is fenoprofen used in the UK?
It is largely a US product and is not a routine choice in the UK, where other NSAIDs are more commonly used, although it works in the same way.
The wider class
About Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Fenoprofen belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (nsaid) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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