Expron

An anti-inflammatory analgesic and antipyretic highly bound to plasma proteins. It is pharmacologically similar to aspirin, but causes less gastrointestinal bleeding. [PubChem]

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Expron tablets, USP and other treatment options before deciding to use Expron tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

Expron tablets are indicated:

Expron is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Expron works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Expron is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.

Expron may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Generic name: Expron 600mg

Dosage form: tablet, film coated

See also:

• Expron capsule

Medically reviewed on September 26, 2018.

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Expron tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use Expron tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

After observing the response to initial therapy with Expron tablets, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs.

Analgesia

For the treatment of mild to moderate pain, the recommended dosage is 200 mg given orally every 4 to 6 hours, as needed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

For the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis the recommended dose is 400 mg to 600 mg given orally, 3 or 4 times a day. The dose should be tailored to the needs of the patient and may be increased or decreased depending on the severity of the symptoms. Dosage adjustments may be made after initiation of drug therapy or during exacerbations of the disease. Total daily dosage should not exceed 3200 mg.

Expron tablets may be administered with meals or with milk. Although the total amount absorbed is not affected, peak blood levels are delayed and diminished.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis generally seem to require larger doses of Expron tablets than do those with osteoarthritis. The smallest dose that yields acceptable control should be employed.

Although improvement may be seen in a few days in many patients, an additional 2 to 3 weeks may be required to gauge the full benefits of therapy.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

More about Expron (Expron)

• Expron Side Effects
• During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
• Dosage Information
• Drug Images
• Drug Interactions
• Pricing & Coupons
• 1 Review
• Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Consumer resources

• Expron
• Expron (Advanced Reading)
• Expron 200 (Advanced Reading)

Other brands: ProFeno, Fenortho

Professional resources

• Expron (AHFS Monograph)
• Expron (FDA)
• Expron Tablets (FDA)

Related treatment guides

• Gout, Acute
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Expron?

Expron tablets are contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to Expron.

Expron should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients.

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

Expron is contraindicated in patients with a history of significantly impaired renal function.

Use Expron as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Expron comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Expron refilled.
• Take Expron by mouth. It may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not lower the risk of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcers). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent stomach upset.
• Take Expron with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL) as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Expron and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of Expron.

Expron is used to relieve mild to moderate pain from various conditions. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness from arthritis. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

If you are treating a chronic condition such as arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This medication may also be used to treat gout attacks.

How to use Expron

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using Expron and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters), unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug. If stomach upset occurs while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an antacid.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take more than 3,200 milligrams in any 24-hour period. To minimize side effect risks (e.g., stomach bleeding), use this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible length of time. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than prescribed. For chronic conditions such as arthritis, continue taking it as directed by your doctor. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor or pharmacist.

In certain conditions (e.g., arthritis), it may take up to 2-3 weeks when this drug is taken regularly before you notice the full benefits.

If you are taking this drug on an "as needed" basis (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the medicine may not work as well.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Expron?

The coadministration of aspirin decreases the biologic half-life of Expron because of an increase in metabolic clearance that results in a greater amount of hydroxylated Expron in the urine. Although the mechanism of interaction between Expron and aspirin is not totally known, enzyme induction and displacement of Expron from plasma albumin binding sites are possibilities. Because Expron has not been shown to produce any additional effect beyond that obtained with aspirin alone and because aspirin increases the rate of excretion of Expron, the concomitant use of Expron and salicylates is not recommended.

Chronic administration of phenobarbital, a known enzyme inducer, may be associated with a decrease in the plasma half-life of Expron. When phenobarbital is added to or withdrawn from treatment, dosage adjustment of Expron may be required.

In vitro studies have shown that Expron, because of its affinity for albumin, may displace from their binding sites other drugs that are also albumin bound, and this may lead to drug interaction. Theoretically, Expron could likewise be displaced. Patients receiving hydantoins, sulfonamides, or sulfonylureas should be observed for increased activity of these drugs and, therefore, signs of toxicity from these drugs. In patients receiving coumarin-type anticoagulants, the addition of Expron to therapy could prolong the prothrombin time. Patients receiving both drugs should be under careful observation. Patients treated with Expron may be resistant to the effects of loop diuretics.

In patients receiving Expron and a steroid concomitantly, any reduction in steroid dosage should be gradual in order to avoid the possible complications of sudden steroid withdrawal.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Expron?

During clinical studies for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or mild to moderate pain and studies of pharmacokinetics, complaints were compiled from a checklist of potential adverse reactions, and the following data emerged. These encompass observations in 6,786 patients, including 188 observed for at least 52 weeks. For comparison, data are also presented from complaints received from the 266 patients who received placebo in these same trials. During short-term studies for analgesia, the incidence of adverse reactions was markedly lower than that seen in longer-term studies.

Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in ≥ 1% of Patients During Clinical Trials

Digestive System: During clinical trials with Expron, the most common adverse reactions were gastrointestinal in nature and occurred in 20.8% of patients receiving Expron as compared to 16.9% of patients receiving placebo. In descending order of frequency, these reactions included dyspepsia (10.3% Expron vs. 2.3% placebo), nausea (7.7% vs. 7.1%), constipation (7% vs. 1.5%), vomiting (2.6% vs. 1.9%), abdominal pain (2% vs. 1.1%) and diarrhea (1.8% vs. 4.1%). The drug was discontinued because of adverse gastrointestinal reactions in less than 2% of patients during premarketing studies.

Nervous System: The most frequent adverse neurologic reactions were headache (8.7% vs. 7.5%) and somnolence (8.5% vs. 6.4%). Dizziness (6.5% vs. 5.6%), tremor (2.2% vs. 0.4%) and confusion (1.4% vs. none) were noted less frequently. Expron was discontinued in less than 0.5% of patients because of these side effects during premarketing studies.

Skin and Appendages: Increased sweating (4.6% vs. 0.4%), pruritus (4.2% vs. 0.8%) and rash (3.7% vs. 0.4%) were reported. Expron was discontinued in about 1% of patients because of an adverse effect related to the skin during premarketing studies.

Special Senses: Tinnitus (4.5% vs. 0.4%), blurred vision (2.2% vs. none) and decreased hearing (1.6% vs. none) were reported. Expron was discontinued in less than 0.5% of patients because of adverse effects related to the special senses during premarketing studies.

Cardiovascular: Palpitations (2.5% vs. 0.4%). Expron was discontinued in about 0.5% of patients because of adverse cardiovascular reactions during premarketing studies.

Miscellaneous: Nervousness (5.7% vs. 1.5%), asthenia (5.4% vs. 0.4%), peripheral edema (5% vs. 0.4%), dyspnea (2.8% vs. none), fatigue (1.7% vs. 1.5%), upper respiratory infection (1.5% vs. 5.6%) and nasopharyngitis (1.2% vs. none).

Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in < 1% of Patients During Clinical Trials

Digestive System: Gastritis, peptic ulcer with/without perforation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, anorexia, flatulence, dry mouth and blood in the stool. Increases in alkaline phosphatase, LDH, SGOT, jaundice and cholestatic hepatitis, aphthous ulcerations of the buccal mucosa, metallic taste and pancreatitis.

Cardiovascular: Atrial fibrillation, pulmonary edema, electrocardiographic changes and supraventricular tachycardia.

Genitourinary Tract: Renal failure, dysuria, cystitis, hematuria, oliguria, azotemia, anuria, interstitial nephritis, nephrosis and papillary necrosis.

Hypersensitivity: Angioedema (angioneurotic edema).

Hematologic: Purpura, bruising, hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis and pancytopenia.

Nervous System: Depression, disorientation, seizures and trigeminal neuralgia.

Special Senses: Burning tongue, diplopia and optic neuritis.

Skin and Appendages: Exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and alopecia.

Miscellaneous: Anaphylaxis, urticaria, malaise, insomnia, tachycardia, personality change, lymphadenopathy, mastodynia and fever.