DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of oxaprozin tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use oxaprozin tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS).
After observing the response to initial therapy with oxaprozin tablets, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
For relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, the usual recommended dose is 1200 mg (two 600 mg tablets) given orally once a day (see Individualization of Dosage).
Osteoarthritis
For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, the usual recommended dose is 1200 mg (two 600 mg tablets) given orally once a day (see Individualization of Dosage).
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
For the relief of the signs and symptoms of JRA in patients 6 to 16 years of age, the recommended dose given orally once per day should be based on body weight of the patient as given in Table 3 (see also Individualization of Dosage).
Table 3 | Body Weight Range (kg) | Dose (mg) |
| 22 to 31 | 600 |
| 32 to 54 | 900 |
| ≥ 55 | 1200 |
(see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations, Pediatric Patients)
Individualization of Dosage
As with other NSAIDs, the lowest dose should be sought for each patient. Therefore, after observing the response to initial therapy with oxaprozin, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs. In osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the dosage should be individualized to the lowest effective dose of oxaprozin to minimize adverse effects. The maximum recommended total daily doseof oxaprozin in adults is 1800 mg (26 mg/kg, whichever is lower) in divided doses. In children, dosesgreater than 1200 mg have not been studied.
Patients of low body weight should initiate therapy with 600 mg once daily. Patients with severe renal impairment or on dialysis should also initiate therapy with 600 mg once daily. If there is insufficient relief ofsymptoms in such patients, the dose may be cautiously increased to 1200 mg, but only with close monitoring (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations).
In adults, in cases where a quick onset of action is important, the pharmacokinetics of oxaprozin allow therapy to be started with a one-time loading dose of 1200 to 1800 mg (not to exceed 26 mg/kg). Doses larger than 1200 mg/day on a chronic basis should be reserved for patients who weigh more than 50 kg, have normal renal and hepatic function, are at low risk of peptic ulcer, and whose severity of disease justifies maximal therapy. Physicians should ensure that patients are tolerating doses in the 600 to 1200 mg/day range without gastroenterologic, renal, hepatic, or dermatologic adverse effects before advancing to the larger doses. Most patients will tolerate once-a-day dosing with oxaprozin, although divided doses may be tried in patients unable to tolerate single doses.
SAFETY AND HANDLING
Oxaprozin is supplied as a solid dosage form in closed containers, is not known to produce contact dermatitis, and poses no known risk to healthcare workers. It may be disposed of in accordance with applicable local regulations governing the disposal of pharmaceuticals.
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