Tiaprofenic acid - Oral

Tiaprofenic acid helps relieve pain and inflammation associated with joint disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation in the joints of the spine), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles), and osteoarthritis (a joint disorder where the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness).

This medicine may also be used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with sprains, strains, and lower back pain.

Tiaprofenic acid may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Tiaprofenic acid exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take it together with food or immediately after a meal.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

You may stop taking this medicine when you have no more swelling or pain.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Do not take Tiaprofenic acid if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of allergic reactions, such as asthma, hives, and rhinitis (inflammation of the inside lining of the nose), to aspirin or other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
• active or a history of recurrent ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
• history of bleeding or a hole in the stomach or bowel caused by previous NSAID treatment
• active bladder or prostate problems e.g. pain or blood in urine, passing urine more often
• history of recurrent problems in passing urine
• severe heart disease
• severe kidney disease
• severe liver disease

as Tiaprofenic acid may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Tiaprofenic acid if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of ulcers in the stomach or intestines
• history of stomach or bowel disease e.g. ulcerative colitis (a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the linings of the large intestine and rectum), Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that usually affects the small intestine and colon)
• blood clotting problems
• bleeding in the brain
• mild to moderate heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood) or other established heart disease
• cerebrovascular disease (disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain)
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol or fat levels in the blood
• diabetes
• systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
• other forms of asthma
• mild to moderate liver disease
• mild to moderate kidney disease

Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant, or in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Tiaprofenic acid to the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). Elderly people and debilitated individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Inform your doctor if you are an active smoker.

If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.

Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver or kidney function, electrolyte levels, complete blood count, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring of your weight and signs and symptoms of side effects (e.g. stomach pain, unusual bleeding or bruising) may also be needed.

Tiaprofenic acid may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, headache, constipation, itching, and ringing in the ears.

This medicine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• pain in the bladder or pain when urinating
• unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in urine
• change in balance or coordination, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, vision problems
• chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back
• muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
• unusual bleeding or bruising, frequent sore throat with fever

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:

• other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib
• certain medicines for diabetes
• anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. heparin, warfarin, clopidogrel, dabigatran
• medicines to treat depression e.g. sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. amlodipine, losartan
• medicines for HIV infection e.g. tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, zidovudine
• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. tacrolimus, ciclosporin
• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone
• digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
• nicorandil (medicine for chest pain)
• pentoxifylline (medicine used to improve blood flow to arms and legs)
• certain antibiotics e.g. amikacin, ciprofloxacin
• methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
• lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
• probenecid (medicine for gout or high uric acid level in the blood)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tiaprofenic acid.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light and high humidity.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.