Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Oxaprozin belongs to a class of drugs called
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other members of this class
include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve) and several
others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever,
and inflammation. They work by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals
that are responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation. Oxaprozin blocks the
enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower
concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain and fever
are reduced. The FDA approved oxaprozin in October 1992.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 600 mg
STORAGE: Oxaprozin should be stored at room temperature below 25 C (77 F)
protected from moisture in a sealed container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Oxaprozin is used for the treatment of inflammation and the
pain, fever, swelling and tenderness of joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis or
osteoarthritis.
DOSING: The usual dose of oxaprozin is 600 or 1200 mg once daily taken with
food. The maximum dose is 1800 mg daily. The total daily dose may be divided
into multiple doses if single daily doses are not tolerated.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Oxaprozin may increase the blood levels of lithium
(Eskalith) by reducing the excretion of lithium by the kidneys. Increased levels
of lithium may lead to lithium toxicity.
Oxaprozin may reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of blood pressure
medications. This may occur because prostaglandins play a role in the regulation
(reduction) of blood pressure.
When oxaprozin is used in combination with methotrexate
(Rheumatrex, Trexall) or aminoglycoside
antibiotics (for example, gentamicin) the blood levels of methotrexate or
aminoglycoside may increase, presumably because the elimination of methotrexate
or aminoglycoside is reduced. This may lead to more side effects from
methotrexate or aminoglycoside.
Individuals taking oral blood thinners or anticoagulants, for example,
warfarin, (Coumadin), should avoid oxaprozin because oxaprozin also thins the
blood, and excessive blood thinning may lead to bleeding.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of oxaprozin in pregnant women.
Therefore, oxaprozin is not recommended during
pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether oxaprozin is excreted in
breast
milk.
NSAIDs reduce the ability of blood to clot and therefore increase bleeding
after an injury. Oxaprozin also may cause bleeding in the stomach and intestine
as well as ulcers. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and intestinal bleeding can
occur without any abdominal pain.
Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness
upon standing may be the only signs of the bleeding.
People who are allergic to other NSAIDs should not use oxaprozin. NSAIDs
reduce the flow of blood to the kidneys and impair function of the kidneys. The
impairment is most likely to occur in patients with preexisting impairment of
kidney function or congestive heart failure, and use of NSAIDs in these patients
should be done cautiously. Individuals with asthma are more likely to experience
allergic reactions to oxaprozin and other NSAIDs. Fluid retention, blood clots,
heart attacks,
hypertension, and heart failure also have been associated with
the use of NSAIDs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of
cartilage in the joints. Also known as degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis
can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of
arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout,
and pseudogout.
Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Some causes of neuropathic pain includes: complex regional pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. There are a variety of methods to treat chronic pain, which are dependant on the type of pain experienced.
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed medications for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and more. One common side effect of NSAIDs is peptic ulcer (ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking NSAIDs.
Osteoarthritis is a joint inflammation that results
from cartilage degeneration.
Osteoarthritis can be caused by aging, heredity, and
injury from trauma or disease.
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in
the affected joint(s) after repetitive use.
There is no blood test for the diagnosis of
osteoarthritis.
The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint
pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 25 million people in the United Stat...
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