Fenoprofen

The Basics

What is Fenoprofen?

NSAID used to treat mild to moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis, such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.

Brand names for Fenoprofen

Nalfon

How Fenoprofen is classified

Analgesic Agents, Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents

Fenoprofen During Pregnancy

Fenoprofen pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Fenoprofen while pregnant

Use of NSAIDs, including NALFON, during the third trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Avoid use of NSAIDs, including NALFON, in pregnant women starting at 30 weeks of gestation (third trimester). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of NALFON in pregnant women. Data from observational studies regarding potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimesters of pregnancy are inconclusive. In the general U.S. population, all clinically recognized pregnancies, regardless of drug exposure, have a background rate of 2-4% for major malformations, and 15-20% for pregnancy loss. In animal reproduction studies, embryo-fetal lethality and skeletal abnormalities were noted in offspring of pregnant rabbits following oral administration of fenoprofen during organogenesis at 0.6 times the maximum human daily dose of 3200 mg/day. However, there were no major malformations noted following oral administration of fenoprofen calcium to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at exposures up to 0.3 and 0.6 times the maximum human daily dose of 3200 mg/day. Based on animal data, prostaglandins have been shown to have an important role in endometrial vascular permeability, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization. In animal studies, administration of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as fenoprofen, resulted in increased pre- and post-implantation loss.

Taking Fenoprofen While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Fenoprofen?

Some reviewers consider fenoprofen to be acceptable during breastfeeding.[1] Because there is little published experience with fenoprofen during breastfeeding, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Some reviewers consider fenoprofen to be acceptable during breastfeeding.[1] Because there is little published experience with fenoprofen during breastfeeding, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Fenoprofen on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Fenoprofen

Acetaminophen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Piroxicam.