Oxaprozin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 31, 2024.

Applies to oxaprozin: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet; capsule)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal.

This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use.

Oxaprozin is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

NSAIDs can also cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.

These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms.

Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.

Serious side effects of oxaprozin

Along with its needed effects, oxaprozin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking oxaprozin:

More common side effects

• skin rash

Less common side effects

• bloating
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• burning upper abdominal or stomach pain
• burning while urinating
• cloudy urine
• constipation
• decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• diarrhea
• difficult or painful urination
• frequent urination
• headache
• heartburn
• indigestion
• itching skin
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• pale skin
• severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
• severe and continuing nausea
• swelling
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight loss

Incidence not known

• agitation
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• burning feeling in chest or stomach
• changes in blood pressure
• chest pain or tightness
• clay-colored stools
• coma
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness
• cracks in the skin
• dark urine
• depression
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness
• ear congestion
• extreme fatigue
• fainting
• feeling of discomfort
• fever or chills
• fluid-filled skin blisters
• high fever
• hives or welts
• hostility
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased thirst
• increased volume of pale, dilute urine
• inflammation of the joints
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• joint or muscle pain
• large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lethargy
• light-colored stools
• lightheadedness
• loss of heat from the body
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches
• muscle twitching
• noisy breathing
• pain or burning in the throat
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• redness, swelling, or soreness of tongue
• scaly skin
• seizures
• severe sunburn
• skin thinness
• slow, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
• stuffy or runny nose
• stupor
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• swollen lymph glands
• tenderness in the stomach area
• unpleasant breath odor
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of oxaprozin

Some side effects of oxaprozin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• stomach discomfort

Less common side effects

• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• hearing loss
• passing gas
• relaxed and calm
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• trouble sleeping

Rare side effects

• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• change in taste
• decreased hearing
• discharge, excessive tearing
• dry mouth
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• lack or loss of strength
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• sensation of spinning
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, feet
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

For healthcare professionals

Applies to oxaprozin: oral capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported adverse effects were gastrointestinal (GI) in nature and included GI pain, anorexia, GI ulcers, heartburn, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and gross bleeding or perforation.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain/distress, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, eructation, esophagitis, gastritis, glossitis, hematemesis, stomatitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhoid bleeding, rectal bleeding, melena^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Liver enzymes elevated
• Frequency not reported: Jaundice, liver function abnormalities, hepatitis, liver failure^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal renal function
• Frequency not reported: Acute interstitial nephritis, cystitis, renal insufficiency, acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, renal calculi^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia, blood pressure changes, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, myocardial infarction, palpitations, tachycardia, syncope, vasculitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): CNS inhibition, somnolence, sedation, dizziness, headache
• Frequency not reported: Taste disturbance, coma, convulsions, drowsiness, paresthesia, tremors^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
• Frequency not reported: Ecchymosis, purpura, alopecia, angioedema, urticaria, photosensitivity, pseudoporphyria, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, sweating, toxic epidermal necrolysis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, bleeding time increased
• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Death, sepsis, fever, infection, asthenia, malaise, meningitis, vertigo, weakness, hearing decreased^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, confusion, sleep disturbance, dream abnormalities
• Frequency not reported: Anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, nervousness^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, urinary frequency
• Frequency not reported: Hematuria, menstrual flow increased, oliguria, polyuria, proteinuria, menstrual flow decreased^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthma, dyspnea, pulmonary infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, respiratory depression^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Serum sickness^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Appetite changes, hyperglycemia, weight changes^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Further information

Oxaprozin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer