Like all medicines this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
STOP TAKING the medicine and seek immediate medical help if you develop:
- Signs of an allergic reaction such as asthma, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath, itchiness, runny nose, skin rashes, etc.; swelling of the face, tongue or throat causing difficulty in breathing, racing heart and drop in blood pressure leading to shock (these can happen even on the first use of the medicine.); severe skin reactions such as peeling, blistering or flaking skin.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following effects or any effects not listed:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Dizziness, headache
- Throat irritation
- Mouth ulcers or pain in the mouth
- Throat pain
- Discomfort or unusual sensation in the mouth (such as warmth, burning, tingling, prickling, etc.)
- Nausea and diarrhoea
- Prickling and itching sensation in skin
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Drowsiness; blistering in the mouth or throat, numbness in the throat; stomach bloating, abdominal pain, wind, constipation, indigestion, vomiting; dry mouth; burning sensation in the mouth, altered sense of taste; skin rashes, itchy skin; fever, pain; feeling sleepy or difficulty in falling asleep; worsening of asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath; reduced sensation in the throat
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)
Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Anaemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood that can give rise to bruising and bleeding); swelling (oedema), high blood pressure, heart failure or attack; severe forms of skin reactions such as bullous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Lyell's syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis; hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Do not take these lozenges if you:
- Are allergic (hypersensitive) to Flurbiprofen or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6 of the Patient Information Leaflet).
- Have ever had asthma, unexpected wheezing or shortness of breath, a runny nose, facial swelling or itchy rash (hives) after taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or any other NSAID medicine.
- Currently have or have ever had two or more episodes of a stomach ulcer, intestinal ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Have had gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, severe colitis (inflammation of the bowel) or bleeding disorders when taking NSAID medicines in the past.
- Are taking high dose aspirin or another NSAID medicine (such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, etc.).
- Are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
- Have severe heart, severe kidney or severe liver failure.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Strefen Orange Flavour Sugar Free 8.75mg Lozenges if you:
- Have ever had asthma or suffer from allergies.
- Have tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils) or think you may have a bacterial throat infection (as you may need antibiotics).
- You have an infection - please see heading "Infections" below (in the Patient Information Leaflet).
- Have heart, kidney or liver problems.
- Have had a stroke.
- Have a history of bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).
- Suffer from chronic autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease.
- Are elderly, as you are more likely to experience the side effects listed in the leaflet.
- Are in the first 6 months of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Have an intolerance to some sugars.
Whilst using this medicine:
At the first sign of any skin reaction (rash, peeling, blistering) or other sign of an allergic reaction, stop using the lozenge and consult a doctor at once. Report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially bleeding) to your doctor. If you do not get better, you get worse, or develop new symptoms, talk to a doctor. The use of medicines containing flurbiprofen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment (3 days).
Children:
This medicine should not be used by children under the age of 12 years.
Other medicines and Strefen Orange Flavour Sugar Free 8.75mg Lozenges:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine. In particular, tell them if you are taking:
- Low dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (up to 75 mg daily).
- Medicines for high blood pressure or heart failure (antihypertensives, cardiac glycosides).
- Water tablets (diuretics, including potassium sparing drugs).
- Medicines for thinning the blood (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents).
- Medicines for gout (probenecid, sulfinpyrazone).
- Other NSAIDs including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors or corticosteroids (such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium or prednisolone).
- Mifepristone (a medicine used for pregnancy termination).
- Quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin).
- Cyclosporine or tacrolimus (to suppress the immune system).
- Phenytoin (to treat epilepsy).
- Methotrexate (to treat autoimmune diseases or cancer).
- Lithium or SSRIs (for depression).
- Oral antidiabetics (to treat diabetes).
- Zidovudine (to treat HIV).
Taking this medicine with food, drink and alcohol:
Alcohol should be avoided during treatment with this medicine as it increases the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Do not take this medicine if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you are in the first 6 months of pregnancy or are breast-feeding, speak to your doctor before taking these lozenges. Flurbiprofen belongs to a group of medicines which may impair fertility in women. This effect is reversible on stopping the medicine. It is unlikely that the lozenges, used occasionally, will affect your chances of becoming pregnant; however, tell your doctor before taking this medicine if you have problems becoming pregnant.
Infections:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may hide signs of infections such as fever and pain. This may delay appropriate treatment of infection, which may lead to an increased risk of complications. If you take this medicine while you have an infection and your symptoms of the infection persist or worsen, consult a doctor or pharmacist without delay.
Driving and using machines:
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use of machines have been performed. However, dizziness and visual disturbances are possible side effects after taking NSAIDs. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
