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Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: Pharmacy medicine (P) Details

Medicine strength:
8.75 mg
Contains active substance:

Patient leaflet - Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges

1. WHAT THIS MEDICINE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

The active ingredient (which makes this medicine work) is Flurbiprofen. It belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs provide relief by changing the body’s response to pain, swelling and high temperature.

This medicine is used for the short-term relief of the symptoms of sore throat in adults and children over the age of 12 years.

2. BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE

Do not take these lozenges if you:

  • are allergic (hypersensitive) to Flurbiprofen or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) • have ever had asthma, unexpected wheezing or shortness of breath, a runny nose, facial swelling or itchy rash (hives) after taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or any other NSAID medicine
  • currently have or have ever had two or more episodes of a stomach ulcer, intestinal ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding
  • have had gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, severe colitis (inflammation of the bowel) or bleeding disorders when taking NSAID medicines in the past
  • are taking high dose aspirin (more than 75mg of aspirin per day) or another NSAID medicine (such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, etc.)
  • are in the last 3 months of pregnancy
  • have severe heart, severe kidney or severe liver failure

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

  • have ever had asthma or suffer from allergies • have tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils) or think you may have a bacterial throat infection (see heading `Infections’ below) • you have an infection - please see heading“Infections” below
  • have heart, kidney or liver problems
  • have had a stroke
  • have a history of bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
  • suffer from chronic autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease

    • are elderly, as you are more likely to experience the side effects listed in this leaflet
    • are in the first 6 months of pregnancy or breastfeeding • have an intolerance to some sugars.

Whilst using this medicine

At the first sign of any skin reaction (rash, peeling, blistering) or other sign of an allergic reaction, stop using the lozenge and consult a doctor at once. Report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially bleeding) to your doctor. If you do not get better, you get worse, or develop new symptoms, talk to a doctor. The use of medicines containing flurbiprofen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment (3 days).

Children

This medicine should not be used by children under the age of 12 years.

Other medicines and this medicine

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine. In particular, tell them if you are taking:

  • low dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (up to 75 mg daily) • medicines for high blood pressure or heart failure (antihypertensives, cardiac glycosides)
  • water tablets (diuretics, including potassium sparing drugs) • medicines for thinning the blood (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents)
  • medicines for gout (probenecid, sulfinpyrazone) • other NSAIDs including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors or corticosteroids (such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium or prednisolone)
  • mifepristone (a medicine used for pregnancy termination) • quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin) • cyclosporine or tacrolimus (to suppress the immune system) • phenytoin (to treat epilepsy)
  • methotrexate (to treat autoimmune diseases or cancer) • lithium or SSRIs (for depression)
  • oral antidiabetics (to treat diabetes)
  • zidovudine (to treat HIV)

Taking this medicine with food, drink and alcohol.

Alcohol should be avoided during treatment with this medicine as it increases the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

You should not use this medicine during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless clearly necessary and advised by your doctor. If treatment is needed during this period, the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible should be used. This medicine is not recommended during breast-feeding. If you are breast-feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Flurbiprofen belongs to a group of medicines which may impair fertility in women. This effect is reversible on stopping the medicine. It is unlikely that the lozenges, used occasionally, will affect your chances of becoming pregnant; however, tell your doctor before taking this medicine if you have problems becoming pregnant.

Infections

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may hide signs of infections such as fever and pain. This may delay appropriate treatment of infection, which may lead to an increased risk of complications.

If you take this medicine while you have an infection and your symptoms of the infection persist or worsen, consult a doctor or pharmacist without delay.

Driving and using machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use of machines have been performed. However, dizziness and visual disturbances are possible side effects after taking NSAIDs. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.

*This medicine contains

  • Isomalt (E953) 2034 mg/lozenge and Liquid Maltitol (E965) 509.31 mg/lozenge. May have a mild laxative effect. Calorific value 2.3 kcal/g maltitol or isomalt. • If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
  • This medicine contains fragrance with Citral, Citronellol, d-Limonene, Geraniol and Linalool. Citral, Citronellol, d-Limonene, Geraniol and Linalool may cause allergic reactions.

3. HOW TO USE THIS MEDICINE

Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Adults, the elderly and children aged 12 years and older:

One lozenge should be sucked slowly in the mouth every 3 to 6 hours as required. The lozenge should be moved around the mouth whilst sucking to avoid irritation of the lining of the mouth.

Do not take more than 5 lozenges in a 24 hour period. Do not give to children under 12 years.

These lozenges are for short-term use only.

The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms. If you have an infection, consult a doctor or pharmacist without delay if symptoms (such as fever and pain) persist or worsen (see section 2). If mouth irritation occurs, flurbiprofen treatment should be withdrawn.

Do not take this medicine for more than 3 days unless your doctor tells you to. If you do not get better, you get worse, or if you develop new symptoms, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more lozenges than you should

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist or go to your nearest hospital straight away. Symptoms of overdose include: feeling sick or being sick, stomach ache or, more rarely, diarrhoea. Ringing in the ears, headache and gastrointestinal bleeding are also possible. If you have any questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to take this medicine

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

STOP TAKING the medicine and seek immediate medical help if you develop:

  • signs of an allergic reaction such as asthma, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath, itchiness, runny nose, skin rashes, etc.
  • swelling of the face, tongue or throat causing difficulty in breathing, racing heart and drop in blood pressure leading to shock (these can happen even on the first use of the medicine.)
  • severe skin reactions such as peeling, blistering or flaking skin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following effects or any effects not listed:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

  • dizziness, headache
  • throat irritation
  • mouth ulcers or pain in the mouth

    • throat pain
    • discomfort or unusual sensation in the mouth (such as warmth, burning, tingling, prickling, etc.)
    • nausea and diarrhoea
    • prickling and itching sensation in skin

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • drowsiness
  • blistering in the mouth or throat, numbness in the throat; stomach bloating, abdominal pain, wind, constipation, indigestion, vomiting
  • dry mouth
  • burning sensation in the mouth, altered sense of taste; skin rashes, itchy skin
  • fever, pain
  • feeling sleepy or difficulty in falling asleep
  • worsening of asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath • reduced sensation in the throat

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)

  • anaphylactic reaction

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

  • anaemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood that can give rise to bruising and bleeding) • swelling (oedema), high blood pressure, heart failure or attack
  • severe forms of skin reactions such as bullous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Lyell’s syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. HOW TO STORE THIS MEDICINE

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the pack and blister pack after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in the original carton. Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION

What this medicine contains:

The active ingredient (the ingredient which makes the medicine work) is flurbiprofen 8.75 mg.

Also contains *(see section 2): macrogol 300, potassium hydroxide (E525), orange flavour, levomenthol, acesulfame potassium (E950), maltitol liquid (E965) and isomalt (E953). What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack

The lozenges are circular in shape with an embossed brand logo and a white to pale yellow colour.

The pack contains 8, 12 or 16 lozenges. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Limited, 103-105 Bath Road, Slough, SL1 3UH, UK

Manufacturer

Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International Ltd, Nottingham, NG90 2DB, UK

Produce licence number: PL 00063/0644

Date of revision: August 2026

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About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 00063/0644

Last revision stated in the text: August 2026 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges

Prescription needed? No, but it is sold only in pharmacies (P)
Active substance Flurbiprofen
Strength 8.75 mg
Pharmaceutical form Lozenge
A round, white to pale yellow lozenge of 19mm diameter with an icon intagliated on both sides of the lozenge.
How is it taken Oromucosal
Excipients Macrogol 300, Potassium hydroxide (E525), Orange flavour, Levomenthol, Acesulfame Potassium (E950), Maltitol, Liquid (E965), Isomalt (E953)
Pack sizes 16 lozenge
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 2 years
Storage This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Drug group (ATC) Throat preparations, other throat preparations
  1. R Respiratory system drugs
    1. R02 Throat preparations
      1. R02A Throat preparations
        1. R02AX Other throat preparations
          1. R02AX01 flurbiprofen
Marketing authorisation PL 00063/0644 (first authorised 4 December 2012)
Marketing authorisation holder Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Limited
Codes GTIN 5011417593172 · BNF 12030100

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.1.0 of 12 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.