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Same active ingredient — pay up to 12% less
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Dexibuprofen). Same strength and form. Confirm the switch with your doctor or pharmacist.
More from Purifen
Other strengths and forms by Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Indications & Uses
Dexibuprofen (sold as Fenexi) is used to relieve the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is also used in rheumatic disorders such as osseous rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, muscular rheumatism and degenerative joint diseases. Doctors also use it for the acute symptomatic treatment of painful menstruation (primary dysmenorrhoea), and for common headache and fever. It can be given for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain, such as muscle pain, headache and dental pain. Dexibuprofen is also used as an adjuvant in common cold and influenza when these come with headache.
Pharmacology
Dexibuprofen (S (+)-ibuprofen) is the pharmacologically active enantiomer of racemic ibuprofen. Like racemic ibuprofen, it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic action, and it works the same way, by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.
Pharmacokinetics
Dexibuprofen is absorbed mainly from the small intestine. The liver changes it by hydroxylation and carboxylation, and the metabolites that result are pharmacologically inactive. These are completely excreted, mainly by the kidneys (90%) and also in the bile. The elimination half-life is 1.8 to 3.5 hours, and plasma protein binding is about 99%. Maximum plasma levels are reached about 2 hours after oral administration.
Taking dexibuprofen with a meal delays the time to maximum concentration, from 2.1 hours when fasting to 2.8 hours when not fasting. It also lowers the maximum plasma concentration, from 20.6 to 18.1 mcg/ml, which is of no clinical relevance. The extent of absorption is not affected.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Adjust the dose of Dexibuprofen to how serious the condition is and to the patient's complaints. In chronic pain, the dose should be brought down to the lowest one that works.
The recommended dose is 600 to 900 mg of Dexibuprofen per day, taken in 2 to 3 divided doses. In patients with acute disorders or flare-ups, the dose can be raised for a short time up to 1200 mg per day. The maximum daily dose is 1200 mg.
For dysmenorrhea, the dose is 600 to 900 mg of Dexibuprofen per day, taken as divided doses.
Side Effects
Clinical experience shows that the side effects of Dexibuprofen are similar to those of racemic ibuprofen. The common ones are dyspepsia, diarrhea, fatigue and headache. Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain can also occur, along with hypersensitivity reactions, bleeding and ulcer.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Take particular care when using Dexibuprofen in patients with bronchial asthma or other chronic diseases of the pulmonary tract, and in people who are prone to allergy. The drug should be used in patients with hepatic, renal or cardiac insufficiency, and in those with hypertension that does not respond to any treatment. Patients with systemic lupus or another autoimmunological disease should talk to a doctor before they begin therapy with it. Use extreme caution with Dexibuprofen in active and suspected hemorrhagic conditions, such as gastro-duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and alcoholism. Allergic reactions can appear even in someone taking the drug for the first time. If that happens, stop it immediately.
Contraindications
Dexibuprofen should not be given to anyone who has had a hypersensitivity reaction to Dexibuprofen, to another NSAID, or to any other component of the product. It is also not for patients who get an asthma attack, bronchospasm, acute rhinitis, urticaria or edema after taking similar medicines (for example aspirin or other NSAIDs). The medicine is also contraindicated in patients with active or suspected hemorrhage, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and serious heart disease. It must not be used where kidney function is impaired (GFR <30ml/min), or where liver function is impaired.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Animal studies with dexibuprofen and with ibuprofen have not shown any teratogenic effect, but dexibuprofen should still be avoided during pregnancy. Animal reproduction studies don't always predict how humans will respond. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are known to affect the fetal cardiovascular system (they close the ductus arteriosus), so use in late pregnancy should be avoided.
Lactation
Studies in people have shown that racemic ibuprofen passes into breast milk only in small to negligible amounts. Even so, Dexibuprofen should be used with caution in nursing mothers.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Hepatic impairment: People with mild to moderate liver function impairment should start on a low dose and be watched closely. Dexibuprofen should not be used in people with serious liver function impairment.
Renal impairment: In mild to moderate kidney function impairment, the starting dose should be reduced. It cannot be used in people with serious kidney function impairment.
Children: The medicine is not licensed for anyone under 18 years of age in the UK, but some countries do permit it. In Switzerland, for example, children aged 6 years and over have been given 10 to 15 mg/kg daily, divided into 2 to 4 doses.
Elderly people: The lowest effective dose is recommended. If the person tolerates it well, the dose can be raised to the usual adult dose.
Overdose
Dexibuprofen has low acute toxicity. Symptoms of toxicity start at doses between 80 and 100 mg/kg body weight. The mild ones are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, headache, tinnitus and ataxia. Moderate to serious symptoms include flatulence, hypotension, hypothermia, metabolic acidosis, reduced kidney function, coma and apnoea.
Treatment has to be symptomatic, because there is no specific antidote. If a large quantity of Dexibuprofen has been taken, give activated charcoal. Vomiting can be induced only when a life-threatening quantity has been swallowed and it can be done within 60 minutes after ingestion. Dialysis and hemodialysis are of little value, as Dexibuprofen binds strongly to plasma protein.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Dexibuprofen at a temperature not above 30°C. Keep it away from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Purifen 400 mg
What is Purifen 400 mg Tablet?
Purifen 400 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Dexibuprofen. It is made by Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Drugs for Osteoarthritis group of medicines.
What is Purifen used for?
Dexibuprofen (sold as Fenexi) is used to relieve the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is also used in rheumatic disorders such as osseous rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, muscular rheumatism and degenerative joint diseases.
What are the side effects of Purifen?
Clinical experience shows that the side effects of Dexibuprofen are similar to those of racemic ibuprofen. The common ones are dyspepsia, diarrhea, fatigue and headache.
Can I take Purifen during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy Animal studies with dexibuprofen and with ibuprofen have not shown any teratogenic effect, but dexibuprofen should still be avoided during pregnancy. Animal reproduction studies don't always predict how humans will respond. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Purifen?
Dexibuprofen has low acute toxicity. Symptoms of toxicity start at doses between 80 and 100 mg/kg body weight. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Purifen?
Store Dexibuprofen at a temperature not above 30°C. Keep it away from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Can I take other medicines with Purifen?
Some medicines can interact with Dexibuprofen, for example: Cyclosporine, Ibuprofen, Zidovudine, Digoxin, Methotrexate, Tacrolimus. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Dexifen by Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has the same ingredient and strength for ৳5.00 per unit, compared with ৳5.70 for Purifen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Do I need a prescription for Purifen?
Purifen is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.