Duexis

Pronunciation: EYE-bue-PROE-fen/fam-OH-ti-deen
Generic Name: Ibuprofen/Famotidine
Brand Name: Duexis

Duexis contains a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart and blood vessel problems (eg, heart attack, stroke). The risk may be greater if you already have heart problems or if you take Duexis for a long time. Do not use Duexis right before or after bypass heart surgery.

Duexis may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach or bowel ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs.

Duexis is used for:

Treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is also used to decrease the risk of developing stomach or bowel ulcers in patients using ibuprofen to treat these conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Duexis is an NSAID and H₂ (histamine) blocker combination. Exactly how the NSAID works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms. The H₂ blocker works to reduce stomach acid by blocking one of the chemicals (histamine) that stimulates the release of acid into the stomach.

Do NOT use Duexis if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Duexis or to another H₂ blocker (eg, ranitidine)


• you have had an asthma attack or a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) after taking aspirin or an NSAID (eg, naproxen, celecoxib)


• you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery


• you have moderate to severe kidney problems


• you are 30 weeks pregnant or more


• you are taking dasatinib

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Duexis:

Some medical conditions may interact with Duexis. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal product, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of kidney or liver problems, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers, inflammation)


• if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, a connective tissue disease (eg, lupus), asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation


• if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders, bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or if you are at risk for any of these diseases


• if you have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, swelling or fluid retention, or low blood sodium levels; you drink alcohol or smoke; or you have a history of alcohol abuse

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Duexis. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), antiplatelet medicines (eg, clopidogrel), bisphosphonates (eg, alendronate), aspirin, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), dabigatran, desirudin, heparin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) (eg, enoxaparin), other NSAIDs (eg, naproxen), salicylates (eg, aspirin), rivaroxaban, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) because the risk of stomach or bowel bleeding or irritation may be increased


• Probenecid because it may increase the risk of Duexis's side effects


• Cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, or quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Duexis


• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), dasatinib, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), itraconazole, or ketoconazole because their effectiveness may be decreased by Duexis

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Duexis may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Duexis:

Use Duexis as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Duexis comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Duexis refilled.


• Take Duexis by mouth with or without food. It may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not lower the risk of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcers). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent stomach upset.


• Swallow Duexis whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.


• If you take cholestyramine, erlotinib, itraconazole, or ketoconazole, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Duexis.


• Take Duexis with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL) as directed by your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Duexis, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of Duexis.

Important safety information:

• Duexis may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Duexis with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Duexis. Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Duexis with food will NOT reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor or emergency room at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain; black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds; or unusual weight gain or swelling.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, use for longer than prescribed, or stop taking Duexis without checking with your doctor.


• Duexis has ibuprofen in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has ibuprofen or any other NSAID (eg, naproxen) in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Do not take aspirin while you are taking Duexis unless your doctor tells you to.


• Lab tests, including kidney or liver function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Duexis. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Duexis with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, including stomach or bowel bleeding and kidney problems.


• Duexis should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Duexis may cause harm to the fetus. Do not take it if you are 30 weeks pregnant or more. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Duexis while you are pregnant. Duexis is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Duexis.

Possible side effects of Duexis:

All medicines can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; heartburn; mild stomach pain or upset; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue); blisters or sores in the mouth; bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest, jaw, or left arm pain; confusion; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular heartbeat; loss of balance or coordination; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe headache, dizziness, or drowsiness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stiff neck; sudden cold sweat; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; flu-like symptoms; itching; right upper stomach pain; unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, or nausea); trouble walking; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual sensitivity to light; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes (eg, blurred vision, color vision changes, blind spots); vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Duexis side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased urination; loss of consciousness; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness; severe nausea or stomach pain; slow or troubled breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual eye movements; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Proper storage of Duexis:

Store Duexis at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Duexis out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Duexis, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Duexis is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Duexis. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Duexis resources

• Duexis Side Effects (in more detail)
• Duexis Dosage
• Duexis Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Duexis Drug Interactions
• Duexis Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Duexis - Add your own review/rating

• Duexis Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Duexis Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Duexis Consumer Overview

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