Ansaid

Ansaid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is often used to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. 

This drug is not indicated to cure arthritis. But this medicine will help you only as long as you continue to take it. Moreover, flurbiprofen is also be used for some other medical problems as determined by your doctor. 

This drug is available in the following dosage forms only with your doctor's prescription:

• Capsule, Extended Release
• Tablet

Before using Ansaid, the risk-benefit ratio of taking the drug should be considered carefully. Here, the suitable drug therapy is chosen by the doctor with active participation of the patient. 

There are some important factors such as drug interactions, metabolic impairment, hypersensitivity reaction, pregnancy, lactation etc. which may alter the desired therapeutic effects of such medications. 

Sometimes the presence of other health disorders affects the beneficial effects of this medicine and even may cause serious toxic effects. If you have had any allergic reactions to any medicine then you must inform your doctor about that. Further, you should tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia
• Bleeding problems
• Congestive heart failure
• Edema (fluid retention or body swelling)
• History of heart attack
• Heart diseases
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease (e.g. hepatitis)
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding
• History of stroke
• Aspirin-sensitive asthma
• History of aspirin sensitivity
• Heart surgery (e.g. coronary artery bypass graft surgery)

Certain drugs should not be used concurrently with such medications. It is always recommended to consult with your doctor if you are in need of some other medications or even any over-the-counter medicine for another health problem in order to avoid unwanted toxic effects. In addition, using this medicine with ketorolac is not recommended.

Animal reproduction studies show an adverse effect to the fetus in late pregnancy and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Thus, it is better to avoid the use of this medicine during pregnancy. 

To use Ansaid correctly, you must follow the directions given by your doctor. The dosage schedule and the duration of drug therapy depend on the particular medical problem for which you are using this medicine. The therapeutic dose may also vary with the patient’s condition or requirement and the strength of the medicine as well.

For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:

• Adults — 200 to 300 mg divided into 2 to 4 equal doses in 24 hours. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, each dose usually is not more than 100 mg.
• Children — Use and dose must be determined by a pediatrician.

Flurbiprofen usually begins to work within one week, but in severe cases up to two weeks or even longer may pass before you begin to feel better. Also, several weeks may pass before you feel the full effects of flurbiprofen. 

When flurbiprofen is used for severe or continuing arthritis, it must be taken regularly as ordered by your physician in order to help you. Additionally, you should take flurbiprofen with food to lessen stomach upset.

Further, it is advised to store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light. All kinds of medicines should be kept out of the reach of children. However, outdated medicines should be disposed by an appropriate way.

While using Ansaid, there are some precautions you must take.

Firstly, regular visits to your doctor are recommended to check that this medicine is working properly or not. Additionally, the following guidelines should be followed while receiving this medicine: 

• Serious skin reactions are reported during treatment with flurbiprofen. You should contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking flurbiprofen: blistering, peeling, itching, red skin lesions, white spots in the mouth or on the lips, and ulcers.

• Flurbiprofen may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical care. Although this incidence is rare, it may occur in those patients who are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, wheezing, or fainting.

• If you have developed blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment, you must visit your physician right away. Sometimes your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist.

• You should not use this drug during pregnancy. Using flurbiprofen during late pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using flurbiprofen, tell your doctor right away.

• You should check with your doctor if you have unexplained weight gain or body swelling while using flurbiprofen.

Moreover, you should not take other medicines including over-the-counter medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements unless they have been discussed with your doctor. 

There are some unwanted side effects associated with Ansaid that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects usually go away during the treatment episode as your body adjusts to the medicine. 

Your healthcare professional may advise you about the ways how to prevent or reduce those unwanted side effects. Sometimes you may need to consult with the doctor if you notice any of the following toxic effects, especially:

• Abdominal or stomach pain, bladder pain, bloody or black, tarry stools, cloudy urine, constipation, painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, lower back or side pain, rash, swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual weight gain and vomiting are the common side effects.

• Flurbiprofen may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestine without warning signs. This is more likely to occur if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, or if you are over 60 years of age.

• Flurbiprofen 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 flurbiprofen for a long time might also have a higher risk.

• Also, signs of serious heart problems may occur such as chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, slurring of speech, tightness in the chest, unusual flushing or warmth of the skin, or weakness.