Ibuprofen
For use in adult patients and adolescents with a body weight of over 50 kg (from 15 years of age and above)
Axoprofen Max contains the active substance ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Axoprofen Max relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
In adult patients and adolescents over 15 years of age (with a body weight of 50 kg or more), the medicine is used for the symptomatic treatment of pain and inflammation in joint diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), degenerative joint diseases (e.g. osteoarthritis), as well as painful swelling and soft tissue inflammation after injuries.
previous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
Before starting treatment with Axoprofen Max, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist.
Taking the medicine in the smallest effective dose for the shortest necessary period to relieve symptoms reduces the risk of side effects.
Before starting treatment with Axoprofen Max, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist if:
Gastrointestinal effects
Concomitant use of Axoprofen Max with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including so-called COX-2 inhibitors (selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors), should be avoided.
Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and perforation:
There have been reports of gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and duodenal ulcers, as well as perforations resulting in death in patients taking all NSAIDs. These events occurred at various times during treatment, with and without warning symptoms, and with or without previously severe gastrointestinal adverse effects.
The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and duodenal ulcers, as well as perforation, increases with increasing doses of NSAIDs and is higher in patients with a history of stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, especially if complicated by bleeding or perforation (see section 2 "When not to take Axoprofen Max") and in elderly patients. In such patients, treatment should be started with the lowest available dose.
In these patients, as well as in patients requiring concomitant administration of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid or other drugs that may increase the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, the doctor will consider concomitant administration of drugs with a protective effect on the stomach lining (e.g. misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors).
Patients who have had gastrointestinal adverse effects in the past, especially the elderly, should report any abnormal abdominal symptoms (especially gastrointestinal bleeding), especially at the start of treatment.
Care should be taken in patients receiving concomitant medications that may increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers or bleeding, such as oral corticosteroids, oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (used to treat mental illnesses, including depression), or antiplatelet agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid (see section 2 "Axoprofen Max and other medicines").
In the event of gastrointestinal bleeding or stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers in a patient taking Axoprofen Max, treatment should be discontinued and a doctor consulted.
Effects on the cardiovascular system and blood vessels
Taking anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications, such as ibuprofen, may be associated with a slight increase in the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially when taken in high doses. Do not exceed the recommended dose and duration of treatment.
Before taking Axoprofen Max, the patient should discuss their treatment with their doctor or pharmacist if:
During treatment with ibuprofen, allergic reactions to this medicine have been reported, including breathing difficulties, facial and neck swelling (angioedema), and chest pain. If the patient notices any of these symptoms, they should stop taking Axoprofen Max immediately and consult a doctor or emergency services.
Skin reactions
Severe skin reactions have been reported in association with ibuprofen treatment, including exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). Axoprofen Max should be discontinued and medical attention sought immediately if any of the symptoms of severe skin reactions described in section 4 occur.
Avoid taking Axoprofen Max during chickenpox infection.
Infections
Axoprofen Max may mask the objective symptoms of infection, such as fever and pain. Therefore, Axoprofen Max may delay the use of appropriate infection treatment, potentially leading to increased risk of complications. This has been observed in bacterial pneumonia and bacterial skin infections associated with chickenpox.
If the patient is taking this medicine during an infection and the symptoms of the infection persist or worsen, they should consult a doctor immediately.
Other warnings
Very rare, severe, acute hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock) have been observed.
After the first symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction to Axoprofen Max appear, treatment should be discontinued and a doctor informed immediately. Depending on the symptoms, medical staff must take appropriate preventive measures.
Ibuprofen may temporarily inhibit platelet function (platelet aggregation). Patients with bleeding disorders should be closely monitored.
During long-term use of Axoprofen Max, regular monitoring of liver parameters, kidney function, and blood morphology with a smear is necessary.
If Axoprofen Max is taken before surgical procedures, the patient should consult their doctor or dentist.
Long-term use of any type of pain reliever for headaches can lead to worsening of the headache. If this occurs or is suspected, the patient should consult a doctor and discontinue the medicine.
Essentially, habitual use of pain relievers, especially when taking several pain relievers at the same time, can lead to permanent kidney damage and increased risk of kidney failure (analgesic nephropathy). This risk may increase with physical exertion associated with salt loss and dehydration. Therefore, it should be avoided.
The risk of kidney failure is higher in dehydrated patients, elderly patients, and those taking diuretics and ACE inhibitors.
Patients who experience eye disorders during ibuprofen treatment should discontinue treatment and undergo vision tests.
Elderly patients
Adverse effects may occur more frequently in elderly patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation, which can be life-threatening in some cases. Therefore, close medical monitoring is necessary in elderly patients.
Children and adolescents
There is a risk of kidney function disorders in dehydrated adolescents.
The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
Axoprofen Max may interact with other medicines, and other medicines may affect the action of Axoprofen Max. For example:
Axoprofen Max may also interact with other medicines, so the patient should always consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking Axoprofen Max with other medicines.
Alcohol may enhance the adverse effects of Axoprofen Max, especially those related to the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. The patient should not drink alcohol while taking Axoprofen Max.
If the patient is pregnant, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
The patient should inform their doctor if they become pregnant while taking Axoprofen Max.
Axoprofen Max should not be taken during the last three months of pregnancy, as it may harm the unborn child or cause complications during delivery. Axoprofen Max may cause kidney and heart disorders in the unborn child. It may also increase the risk of bleeding in the patient and their child and cause delayed or prolonged labor.
In the first six months of pregnancy, the patient should not take this medicine unless their doctor considers it absolutely necessary. If treatment is necessary during this period or when trying to conceive, the patient should take the smallest possible dose for the shortest possible time. From the 20th week of pregnancy, Axoprofen Max may cause kidney function disorders in the unborn child if taken for more than a few days. This may lead to low amniotic fluid levels (oligohydramnios) or narrowing of the arterial duct (ductal constriction) in the child's heart. If treatment is required for a longer period, the doctor may recommend additional monitoring.
Breastfeeding
Ibuprofen is excreted in small amounts into the breast milk of nursing mothers and is not usually a reason to discontinue breastfeeding during short-term treatment with recommended doses.
In the case of long-term treatment or treatment with higher doses of the medicine, the patient should consider weaning their child.
Fertility
Ibuprofen may make it more difficult to conceive. The patient should inform their doctor if they plan to conceive or if they have difficulty conceiving.
Ibuprofen generally has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and operate machinery. However, adverse effects of central origin caused by high doses of the medicine, such as fatigue and dizziness, may impair the ability to react and actively participate in traffic or operate machinery. This is especially important when consuming alcohol.
If the patient has been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, they should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per coated tablet, which means it is considered "sodium-free".
This medicine should always be taken as directed by the doctor.
In case of doubts, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
The patient should take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible period necessary to relieve symptoms. In case of infection, the patient should consult their doctor immediately if symptoms (such as fever and pain) persist or worsen (see section 2).
The recommended dose of Axoprofen Max is:
Rheumatic diseases and painful swelling and soft tissue inflammation after injuries
Adults
A single dose is 300-600 mg of ibuprofen.
The recommended daily dose is 1200-1800 mg of ibuprofen in divided doses. The interval between doses should be at least 6 hours. In some patients, the maintenance dose may be 600-1200 mg per day.
In acute and severe conditions, it may be beneficial to increase the dose until the acute phase is brought under control, provided that the total daily dose does not exceed 2400 mg per day in divided doses.
Adolescents over 15 years of age (body weight ≥ 50 kg)
The recommended dose should be adjusted according to body weight: 20-40 mg/kg body weight per day (maximum 2400 mg per day) in 3 or 4 divided doses.
Special patient groups
If the patient has severe liver or kidney function disorders or is elderly, their doctor will inform them of the appropriate dose, which will be the smallest possible dose.
Axoprofen Max is intended for oral use.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
To avoid irritating the stomach or throat, the tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or sucked. However, the tablet can be divided into equal doses.
Patient with sensitive stomachs should take Axoprofen Max during meals.
The treating doctor decides how long to take the medicine.
In rheumatic diseases, long-term use of Axoprofen Max may be necessary.
If the patient has taken a larger dose of Axoprofen Max than recommended or if a child has accidentally taken this medicine, they should always consult a doctor or go to the nearest hospital to assess potential health risks and receive advice on what to do.
Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, stomach pain, vomiting (which may contain blood), or diarrhea. Additionally: headaches, gastrointestinal bleeding, visual disturbances, tinnitus, disorientation, and nystagmus, as well as worsening of asthma in patients with asthma. After taking a large dose, drowsiness, excitement, disorientation, chest pain, palpitations, loss of consciousness, coma, seizures (mainly in children), vertigo of labyrinthine origin, weakness, and dizziness may occur. Low blood sugar, low blood potassium levels, low blood pressure, elevated blood potassium levels, prolonged prothrombin time/INR, acute kidney failure, liver damage, respiratory depression, cyanosis, feeling of cold, and breathing difficulties may also occur.
The patient should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
In case of questions or doubts about taking this medicine, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Axoprofen Max can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
It should be noted that the occurrence of the side effects listed below depends mainly on the dose used and varies from person to person.
The most common side effects are related to the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, perforation, or bleeding may occur, sometimes leading to death, especially in elderly patients (see section 2: "Warnings and precautions").
After taking the medicine, the following have been reported: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, indigestion, stomach pain, black stools, bloody vomiting, mouth and throat ulcers (stomatitis), exacerbation of colitis and Crohn's disease (see section 2: "Warnings and precautions"). Rarely, gastritis has been observed. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding depends mainly on the dose and duration of treatment.
If any of the above symptoms occur or worsen, the patient should stop taking Axoprofen Max and consult their doctor immediately.
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 patients):
Common (affects no more than 1 in 10 patients)
Uncommon (affects no more than 1 in 100 patients)
If such symptoms occur, the patient should immediately inform their doctor and discontinue Axoprofen Max.
Rare (affects no more than 1 in 1,000 patients)
Very rare (affects no more than 1 in 10,000 patients)
Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data):
Medicines like Axoprofen Max may slightly increase the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke.
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, they should inform their doctor or pharmacist, or nurse. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products:
Jerozolimskie Avenue 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, phone: 22 49-21-301, fax: 22 49-21-309,
website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
By reporting side effects, more information can be collected on the safety of this medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines they no longer use. This will help protect the environment.
White or almost white, oblong, coated tablets with a dividing line on both sides, 17.5 mm long and 9 mm wide.
The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
Axoprofen Max, 600 mg, coated tablets are available in blisters, in packs of 10 coated tablets.
Aristo Pharma Sp. z o.o.
Baletowa Street 30
02-867 Warsaw
Aristo Pharma GmbH
Wallenroder Str. 8-10
13435 Berlin
Germany
Denmark:
Ibuprofen "Aristo"
Germany:
IbuARISTO 600 mg
Italy:
Ibuprofene Aristo Pharma
Poland:
Axoprofen Max
Portugal:
IBUPROFENO ARISTO
Spain:
Diltix 600 mg coated tablets EFG
Sweden:
Ibuprofen Aristo
Date of last revision of the leaflet: October 2024
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