ARTHRITIS IS INFLAMMATION OF ONE OR MORE JOINTS

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) can affect nearly any joint and occur at any time, starting slowly and getting worse over time. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling limit movement and affect daily activities.

While there is no cure for OA, you can treat your symptoms and find pain relief

Icon representing a person stretching.Icon representing a person stretching.Icon representing a person stretching.

Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, exercise, and the use of assistive devices, can ease pain and stiffness to help you move better and improve your overall well-being

Icon representing a medicine bottle.Icon representing a medicine bottle.Icon representing a medicine bottle.

Some medications can relieve the symptoms of OA, including inflammation and joint pain

Medical cross symbol.Medical cross symbol.Medical cross symbol.

If non-surgical treatments fail, surgery may be an option

Inflammation has a widespread impact on people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

For people with RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing pain and inflammation. Inflammation leads to joint pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness, particularly in the morning. Inflammation can also cause joint erosion and permanent damage—and may affect other internal organs.

Several medications are used in the treatment of RA

  • Early, aggressive treatment of RA can be achieved with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs for short
  • DMARDs control disease activity to help slow the progression of RA and prevent joint damage
  • Other medications are also used to relieve the symptoms of RA

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like DUEXIS,
relieve both the pain and inflammation of OA or RA.
Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and see if DUEXIS may be right for you.

The most common side effects of DUEXIS include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, upper abdominal pain, and headache.

To learn more about OA and RA and to find educational resources, check out the following patient advocacy groups:

Arthritis Foundation logo.Arthritis Foundation logo.Arthritis Foundation logo.

Arthritis Foundation

Osteoarthritis Action Alliance logo.Osteoarthritis Action Alliance logo.Osteoarthritis Action Alliance logo.

Osteoarthritis Action Alliance

Alliance for Balanced Pain Management logo.Alliance for Balanced Pain Management logo.Alliance for Balanced Pain Management logo.

Alliance for Balanced Pain Management

Download helpful patient materials to learn more about DUEXIS

Patient Resources

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

What is DUEXIS® (ibuprofen and famotidine)?

DUEXIS contains two medicines: ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), and famotidine, a histamine H2–receptor blocker medicine.

DUEXIS is a prescription medicine used to:

  • relieve the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
  • decrease the risk of developing ulcers of the stomach and upper intestines (upper gastrointestinal ulcers) in people taking ibuprofen for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

It is not known if DUEXIS is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about DUEXIS?

  • DUEXIS can cause an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use and with increasing doses of medicine containing NSAIDs.
  • DUEXIS can cause an increased risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) of the esophagus, stomach and intestines. These events can occur at any time during use, without warning symptoms and may cause death. Elderly patients and patients with a history of ulcer disease or stomach or intestine bleeding are at greater risk for getting an ulcer or bleeding.
  • You should take DUEXIS exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time needed.

DUEXIS can cause serious side effects. Stop taking DUEXIS and call your doctor or go to your emergency department right away if you get:

  • Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in one part or side of your body, or slurring of speech. These could be signs of a serious blood clotting event.
  • Upper stomach pain, upset stomach, black, tarry stools, or vomiting of blood. These could be signs of an esophagus, stomach, or intestinal ulcer, bleed, or tear. Note: if you are also taking low‐dose aspirin, you are at increased risk for esophagus, stomach, or intestinal bleeding.
  • Nausea, more tired or weaker than usual, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, right upper abdomen tenderness, and “flu‐like” symptoms. These could be signs of a liver problem.
  • Shortness of breath, unexplained weight gain, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands or feet. These could be signs of a serious heart problem.
  • Any type of rash. This could be a sign of a serious skin reaction.

These are not all of the possible side effects of DUEXIS. Please talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms that bother you or that do not go away. If you take too much DUEXIS, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Who should not use DUEXIS?

Do not take DUEXIS:

  • if you are allergic to ibuprofen, famotidine, any other histamine H2–receptor blocker, or any of the ingredients in DUEXIS. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
  • if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs.
  • right before or after heart bypass surgery called coronary artery bypass graft.
  • if you are in the 30th week of pregnancy until delivery

How should I take DUEXIS?

Take DUEXIS exactly as your health care provider tells you to take it. Do not change your dose or stop DUEXIS without first talking to your health care provider. Swallow DUEXIS tablets whole with liquid. Do not split, chew, crush, or dissolve the DUEXIS tablet. If you forget to take a dose of DUEXIS, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose on time. Do not take 2 doses at one time to make up for a missed dose. You should not take an ibuprofen tablet and famotidine tablet together instead of taking a DUEXIS tablet, because they will not work in the same way.

What are the possible side effects of DUEXIS?

The most common side effects of DUEXIS include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, upper abdominal pain, and headache.

What other medications might interact with DUEXIS?

Do not use DUEXIS while taking other NSAIDs unless your health care provider says it is OK. NSAIDs may be present in over‐the‐counter medications for treatment of colds, fever, or insomnia; refer to the label of over‐the‐counter medications you are taking or ask your pharmacist. Do not use DUEXIS and low‐dose aspirin until you talk to your health care provider. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take as some medicines can react with NSAIDs and cause serious side effects.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Before starting DUEXIS, tell your health care provider if you have a history of ulcer disease or esophagus, stomach, or intestine bleeding, liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, bleeding problems, asthma, or are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding. Taking DUEXIS at about 20 weeks of pregnancy or later may harm your unborn baby. If you need to take DUEXIS for more than 2 days when you are between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may need to monitor the amount of fluid in your womb around your baby. You should not take DUEXIS after about 30 weeks of pregnancy. Also tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Do not start taking new medicines without talking to your health care provider first.

Please see the Medication Guide and Prescribing Information, or visit Duexis.com for additional information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

What is DUEXIS® (ibuprofen and famotidine)?

DUEXIS contains two medicines: ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), and famotidine, a histamine H2–receptor blocker medicine.

DUEXIS is a prescription medicine used to:

  • relieve the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
  • decrease the risk of developing ulcers of the stomach and upper intestines (upper gastrointestinal ulcers) in people taking ibuprofen for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

It is not known if DUEXIS is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about DUEXIS?

  • DUEXIS can cause an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use and with increasing doses of medicine containing NSAIDs.
  • DUEXIS can cause an increased risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) of the esophagus, stomach and intestines. These events can occur at any time during use, without warning symptoms and may cause death. Elderly patients and patients with a history of ulcer disease or stomach or intestine bleeding are at greater risk for getting an ulcer or bleeding.
  • You should take DUEXIS exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time needed.

DUEXIS can cause serious side effects. Stop taking DUEXIS and call your doctor or go to your emergency department right away if you get:

  • Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in one part or side of your body, or slurring of speech. These could be signs of a serious blood clotting event.
  • Upper stomach pain, upset stomach, black, tarry stools, or vomiting of blood. These could be signs of an esophagus, stomach, or intestinal ulcer, bleed, or tear. Note: if you are also taking low‐dose aspirin, you are at increased risk for esophagus, stomach, or intestinal bleeding.
  • Nausea, more tired or weaker than usual, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, right upper abdomen tenderness, and “flu‐like” symptoms. These could be signs of a liver problem.
  • Shortness of breath, unexplained weight gain, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands or feet. These could be signs of a serious heart problem.
  • Any type of rash. This could be a sign of a serious skin reaction.

These are not all of the possible side effects of DUEXIS. Please talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms that bother you or that do not go away. If you take too much DUEXIS, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Who should not use DUEXIS?

Do not take DUEXIS:

  • if you are allergic to ibuprofen, famotidine, any other histamine H2–receptor blocker, or any of the ingredients in DUEXIS. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
  • if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs.
  • right before or after heart bypass surgery called coronary artery bypass graft.
  • if you are in the 30th week of pregnancy until delivery

How should I take DUEXIS?

Take DUEXIS exactly as your health care provider tells you to take it. Do not change your dose or stop DUEXIS without first talking to your health care provider. Swallow DUEXIS tablets whole with liquid. Do not split, chew, crush, or dissolve the DUEXIS tablet. If you forget to take a dose of DUEXIS, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose on time. Do not take 2 doses at one time to make up for a missed dose. You should not take an ibuprofen tablet and famotidine tablet together instead of taking a DUEXIS tablet, because they will not work in the same way.

What are the possible side effects of DUEXIS?

The most common side effects of DUEXIS include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, upper abdominal pain, and headache.

What other medications might interact with DUEXIS?

Do not use DUEXIS while taking other NSAIDs unless your health care provider says it is OK. NSAIDs may be present in over‐the‐counter medications for treatment of colds, fever, or insomnia; refer to the label of over‐the‐counter medications you are taking or ask your pharmacist. Do not use DUEXIS and low‐dose aspirin until you talk to your health care provider. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take as some medicines can react with NSAIDs and cause serious side effects.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Before starting DUEXIS, tell your health care provider if you have a history of ulcer disease or esophagus, stomach, or intestine bleeding, liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, bleeding problems, asthma, or are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding. Taking DUEXIS at about 20 weeks of pregnancy or later may harm your unborn baby. If you need to take DUEXIS for more than 2 days when you are between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may need to monitor the amount of fluid in your womb around your baby. You should not take DUEXIS after about 30 weeks of pregnancy. Also tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Do not start taking new medicines without talking to your health care provider first.

Please see the Medication Guide and Prescribing Information, or visit Duexis.com for additional information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.