An anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID), also a throat lozenge and eye drop
Flurbiprofen
An anti-inflammatory painkiller used for pain and inflammation, also available as a sore-throat lozenge and as an eye drop.
What is Flurbiprofen?
Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (an NSAID) used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, for example in arthritis and other painful conditions. It also comes as a lozenge for sore throat and as an eye drop used around eye surgery. Like other NSAIDs taken by mouth, it can irritate the stomach and cause ulcers or bleeding, can affect the kidneys, and carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, especially with higher doses or long-term use. It is taken with or after food and used at the lowest effective amount for the shortest time.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Flurbiprofen — 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
Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a group of medicines that ease pain and reduce inflammation. Taken by mouth, it is used for painful and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, period pain and other aches. It is also made as a lozenge that is sucked to soothe a sore throat, and as an eye drop used by eye specialists to keep the pupil open during surgery. The different forms work in different parts of the body, but they share the same family of effects and cautions as other NSAIDs.
How it works
Flurbiprofen works by blocking enzymes called cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which the body uses to make chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins drive pain, swelling and fever, so reducing them eases these symptoms. The same prostaglandins also help protect the stomach lining and support blood flow to the kidneys, which is why blocking them can cause stomach irritation and affect the kidneys. As a throat lozenge it acts locally to calm inflammation and pain in the throat, and as an eye drop it helps stop the pupil narrowing during surgery.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used in the UK for pain and inflammation, with a lozenge form for sore throat and an eye drop used in eye surgery.
What it treats
Conditions Flurbiprofen is used for
Practical use
How to take Flurbiprofen
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the tablets with or after food to reduce the chance of stomach upset.
- Use the lowest amount that controls your symptoms for the shortest time needed.
- Suck the sore-throat lozenges slowly and do not chew them; do not use more than the pack advises.
- Use the eye drops only as directed by your eye specialist if they have been prescribed.
- Tell your pharmacist or doctor about other medicines, as some combinations increase the risk of bleeding or kidney problems.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Flurbiprofen
Advantages
- Effectively relieves pain and reduces inflammation in conditions such as arthritis.
- Comes in several forms, including a lozenge that soothes sore throat where it is most needed.
- A well-established medicine with long experience of use.
Disadvantages
- Can irritate the stomach and, less commonly, cause ulcers or bleeding.
- Can affect the kidneys 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
Flurbiprofen taken by mouth is best taken with or after food to lower the chance of stomach upset, and it is generally 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 how the kidneys work, and it carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly at higher doses or with long-term use. It can also raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention. The sore-throat lozenge acts mainly on the throat but is still an NSAID, so the same cautions apply if used a lot. Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about other medicines, as combining NSAIDs with certain blood thinners, steroids or some blood-pressure medicines increases risks. Speak to a doctor before using it if you have stomach problems, heart, kidney or liver disease, 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 flurbiprofen, 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 severe heart, kidney 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 blood pressure and kidney function with longer-term use.
- Watching for signs of stomach bleeding, such as black stools or vomiting blood.
Side effects
- Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea or diarrhoea.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Less commonly, stomach ulcers or bleeding, which can cause black stools or vomiting blood and need urgent care.
- Rarely, kidney problems, 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 taken by mouth, sore-throat lozenges, and eye drops.
Answers
Flurbiprofen: frequently asked questions
What is flurbiprofen used for?
It is an anti-inflammatory painkiller used for pain and inflammation such as arthritis, and it also comes as a sore-throat lozenge and as an eye drop used around eye surgery.
Why should I take the tablets 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.
Is the throat lozenge safe to use a lot?
The lozenge acts mainly on the throat but is still an NSAID, so do not use more than the pack advises, and check with a pharmacist if you need it for more than a few days.
Can it affect my heart or kidneys?
Taken by mouth it carries a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke and can affect the kidneys, especially at higher doses or with long-term use, so it is used at the lowest effective amount.
Who should be careful with flurbiprofen?
People with stomach ulcers, heart, kidney or liver disease, high blood pressure, asthma made worse by painkillers, or who are pregnant should get advice before using it.
The wider class
About Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Flurbiprofen 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.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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