Acetaminophen and ibuprofen

FDA label, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc, oral, effective 2025-01-14. Full label on DailyMed

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Boxed warning

WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY, CARDIOVASCULAR RISK, AND GASTROINTESTINAL RISK WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY, CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND GASTROINTESTINAL RISK See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . COMBOGESIC contains acetaminophen, which has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with doses of acetaminophen that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen containing product ( 5.1 ).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like the ibuprofen in COMBOGESIC, 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 ( 5.2 ). COMBOGESIC tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery ( 5.2 ). NSAIDS, like the ibuprofen in COMBOGESIC, cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal 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 ( 5.3 ). HEPATOTOXICITY COMBOGESIC contains acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . CARDIOVASCULAR RISK COMBOGESIC contains ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . COMBOGESIC is contraindicated for treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . GASTROINTESTINAL RISK NSAIDS cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal 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…

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug

Dosing in kidney impairment

Monitor blood pressure. Heart Failure and Edema : Avoid use of COMBOGESIC in patients with severe heart failure unless benefits are expected to outweigh risk of worsening heart failure. Renal Toxicity : Long-term administration of NSAIDs, including the ibuprofen component of COMBOGESIC, has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury.

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) : Discontinue and evaluate clinically. Fetal Toxicity : Limit use of NSAID-containing products, including COMBOGESIC, between about 20 to 30 weeks in pregnancy due to the risk of oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction. Avoid use of NSAID-containing products, including COMBOGESIC in women at about 30 weeks gestation and later in pregnancy due to the risks of oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction and premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.

Avoid the use of COMBOGESIC in patients with severe heart failure unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risk of worsening heart failure. If COMBOGESIC is used in patients with severe heart failure, monitor patients for signs of worsening heart failure. 5.6 Renal Toxicity and Hyperkalemia Renal Toxicity Long-term administration of NSAIDs, including the ibuprofen component of COMBOGESIC, has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury.

Renal toxicity has also been seen in patients in whom renal prostaglandins have a compensatory role in the maintenance of renal perfusion. In these patients, administration of a NSAID may cause a dose-dependent reduction in prostaglandin formation and, secondarily, in renal blood flow, which may precipitate overt renal decompensation.

Patients at greatest risk of this reaction are those with impaired renal function, dehydration, hypovolemia, heart failure, liver dysfunction, those taking diuretics and ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and the elderly. Discontinuation of NSAID therapy is usually followed by recovery to the pretreatment state. Hyperkalemia Increases in serum potassium concentration, including hyperkalemia, have been reported with use of NSAIDs, even in some patients without renal impairment.

In patients with normal renal function, these effects have been attributed to a hyporeninemic-hypoaldosteronism state. 5.7 Anaphylaxis and Other Hypersensitivity Reactions Acetaminophen There have been postmarketing reports of hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis associated with the use of acetaminophen. Clinical signs included swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, respiratory distress, urticaria, rash, pruritus, and vomiting.

Drug interactions

Check acetaminophen and ibuprofen against a medication list
Label text (11 paragraphs)

Table 2: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with COMBOGESIC Drugs That Interfere with Hemostasis Clinical Impact: Ibuprofen and anticoagulants such as warfarin have a synergistic effect on bleeding. The concomitant use of ibuprofen and anticoagulants have an increased risk of serious bleeding compared to the use of either drug alone. Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis. Case-control and cohort epidemiological studies showed that concomitant use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and an NSAID may potentiate the risk of bleeding more than an NSAID alone.

Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of COMBOGESIC with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ]. Aspirin Clinical Impact: Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone.

In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated with a significantly increased incidence of GI adverse reactions as compared to use of the NSAID alone [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Intervention: Concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and analgesic doses of aspirin is not generally recommended because of the increased risk of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. COMBOGESIC is not a substitute for low dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection.

ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, and Beta-Blockers Clinical Impact: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or beta-blockers (including propranolol). In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or have renal impairment, co-administration of an NSAID with ACE inhibitors or ARBs may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible.

Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and ACE-inhibitors, ARBs, or beta-blockers, monitor blood pressure to ensure that the desired blood pressure is obtained. During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and ACE-inhibitors or ARBs in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted, or have impaired renal function, monitor for signs of worsening renal function [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] . When these drugs are administered concomitantly, patients should be adequately hydrated. Assess renal function at the beginning of the concomitant treatment and periodically thereafter.

Diuretics Clinical Impact: Clinical studies, as well as post-marketing observations, showed that NSAIDs reduced the natriuretic effect of loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) and thiazide diuretics in some patients. This effect has been attributed to the NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC with diuretics, observe patients for signs of worsening renal function, in addition to assuring diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 and 5.6) ].

Digoxin Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of ibuprofen with digoxin has been reported to increase the serum concentration and prolong the half-life of digoxin. Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and digoxin, monitor serum digoxin levels. Lithium Clinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance . The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity.

Methotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction). Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity. Cyclosporine Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDS and cyclosporine may increase cyclosporine's nephrotoxicity. Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and cyclosporine, monitor patients for signs of worsening renal function.

NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of ibuprofen with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Intervention: The concomitant use of ibuprofen with other NSAIDs or salicylates is not recommended. Pemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDS and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (see the pemetrexed prescribing information).

Intervention: During concomitant use of COMBOGESIC and pemetrexed, in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance ranges from 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal and GI toxicity. NSAIDs with short elimination half-lives (e.g., diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of two days before, the day of, and two days following administration of pemetrexed. In the absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration.

A number of known or potential interactions between COMBOGESIC and other drugs/drug classes exist. Please refer to the Drug Interactions section ( 7 ) for further information.

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS COMBOGESIC is contraindicated in: patients with a known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reactions, serious skin reactions) to acetaminophen, ibuprofen, other NSAIDs, or to any of the excipients in this product [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7 , 5.8 , 5.9) ]. patients with a history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7 and 5.8) ] . the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .

COMBOGESIC is contraindicated in: patients with known hypersensitivity to acetaminophen, ibuprofen, other NSAIDs, or to any of the excipients in this product ( 4 ). patients with a history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients ( 4 ). the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery ( 4 ).

Safety data

Reported adverse events (FAERS)

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Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System via openFDA

Liver injury (LiverTox)

LiverTox has no chapter for acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Check the label's hepatic warnings.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Ibuprofen Use of NSAID-containing products, including COMBOGESIC, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Because of these risks, limit dose and duration of COMBOGESIC use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation and avoid COMBOGESIC use at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations , Data ).

Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus: Use of NSAID-containing products, including COMBOGESIC, at about 30 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment: Use of NSAID-containing products, including COMBOGESIC, at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy has been associated with cases of fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Data from observational studies regarding other potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimester of pregnancy are inconclusive.

In published animal reproduction studies, there were no clear developmental effects at doses up to 2.7-times the maximum human daily dose (MHDD) in the rabbit and 1.5-times in the MHDD rat when dosed throughout gestation. In contrast, an increase in membranous ventricular septal defects was reported in rats treated on Gestation Days 9 & 10 with 2.2-times the MHDD. 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 ibuprofen, resulted in increased pre- and post-implantation loss.

Prostaglandins also have been shown to have an important role in fetal kidney development. In published animal studies, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors have been reported to impair kidney development when administered at clinically relevant doses. Acetaminophen Prolonged experience with acetaminophen in pregnant women over several decades, based on published observational epidemiological studies and case reports, did not identify a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data ) .

Reproductive and developmental studies in rats and mice from the published literature have identified adverse events at clinically relevant doses of acetaminophen. Fetotoxicity, increases in bone variations in the…

For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.

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