Daypro

Daypro is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing hormones which cause inflammation and pain in the body. Daypro has been used to treat arthritis pain and was approved by the FDA in 1992. However, the FDA rejected Daypro’s approval three separate times before finally approving it. Daypro is manufactured by G.D. Searle and Company.

One of the issues that medical professionals have with Daypro is the fact that it has an extremely long half-life. This means that the amount of the drug in the body (both therapeutic and toxic) remains in the body for a longer period of time. This long half-life increases the risk of toxicity, especially in women or people with low body weight. Approximately 80 percent of adverse side effects of Daypro were found in women.

Daypro has been linked to Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). In Daypro’s first year on the market, there was a higher rate of SJS and TEN reported as a side effect of Daypro than any other NSAID drug on the market. Both diseases are serious skin reactions that can cause rash, skin peeling, and sores on the mucous membranes. By 1994, there had been a reported four deaths because of skin reactions from Daypro. The drug also caused more deaths from these diseases than any other NSAID pain reliever on the market from 1993 to 1997.

Serious Side Effects Include:

• Chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance
• Black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• Bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness

Less serious side effects may include:

• Upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas
• Dizziness, headache, nervousness
• Skin itching or rash
• Dry mouth
• Increased sweating, runny nose
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in your ears