What Is Daypro?

Daypro (oxaprozin) is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Daypro belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). NSAIDs work by reducing pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation.

Daypro is available in coated tablet form.

What Is Daypro Used For?

The FDA approves Daypro to reduce the pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness caused by:

Drug Facts

Generic Name: Oxaprozin

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children and adolescents 6 years and older

Daypro helps treat the signs and symptoms of these conditions; it does not cure the disease.

How to Take Daypro

Daypro is usually taken once per day. Take your dose at the same time each day, with or without food. If you experience an upset stomach, taking Daypro with food may help.

Storage

Store Daypro at room temperature in the container it came in. Be sure to keep the bottle tightly closed to protect the tablets from light. Store Daypro—and all of your medicines—in a safe location, up high and out of the reach of children.

Off-Label Uses

Healthcare providers may prescribe medications for uses other than those approved by the FDA. This is called off-label use.

Daypro is sometimes used off-label to:

  • Reduce the muscle soreness and inflammation caused by ankylosing spondylitis

What Are the Side Effects of Daypro? 

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

How Long Does Daypro Take to Work?

Daypro begins to work three to five hours after taking your dose, but it may take up to a week for you to see the full effects.

Common Side Effects

All medications, including Daypro, can cause side effects. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience any side effects that don’t go away or bother you. Common side effects include:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Gas
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

Severe Side Effects 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two boxed warnings for Daypro. Boxed warnings are the agency’s strongest warnings for serious and potentially life-threatening risks. Review these warnings and discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider before starting treatment:

  • NSAIDs, like Daypro, increase the risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, which can lead to death. Do not take NSAIDs before or after a heart surgery called a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Let your healthcare provider know about all your heart conditions (including a recent heart attack) and only use NSAIDs if your healthcare provider tells you to.
  • NSAIDs may cause serious intestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulcers, and tears in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. These effects can occur at any time during treatment, and you may not notice any warning signs or symptoms. In some cases, NSAID-related bleeding has led to death.

Daypro can cause severe side effects, which can sometimes be life-threatening. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any severe reactions. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency. 

Serious side effects and their symptoms include:

  • Cardiovascular thrombotic events (heart attack and stroke): Get medical help right away if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of your body, or slurred speech.
  • GI bleeding, ulceration, and perforation (bleeding, ulcers, or tears in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines): Let your healthcare provider know if you have stomach pain, indigestion, or you vomit blood. Report any blood in your stool or if your stool is black and sticky like tar.
  • Hepatotoxicity (liver problems): Symptoms of a liver injury include nausea, weakness, tiredness, itching, diarrhea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms, and pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.
  • Heart failure: Contact your healthcare provider if you develop unexplained weight gain, swelling in your legs, arms, hands, or feet, or shortness of breath.
  • Anaphylactic reactions (life-threatening allergic reactions): Get medical help immediately if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing.
  • Life-threatening skin reactions: Stop taking Daypro if you develop a rash, blisters, or fever, and call your healthcare provider right away.
  • Hypertension (new or worse high blood pressure)
  • Kidney problems: Your healthcare provider will monitor how well your kidneys are working, especially if you have risk factors for kidney problems.
  • Anema (low red blood cells)
  • Asthma attacks in people with asthma

Dosage: How Much Daypro Should I Take?

Modifications

Daypro and other NSAIDs should not be used after 30 weeks of pregnancy since they can cause serious risks to your baby’s development. The use of Daypro should be limited during 20 to 30 weeks of pregnancy. If you use Daypro for longer than 48 hours during this time, your healthcare provider may need to monitor the amount of fluid in your womb around your baby. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before starting Daypro.

Report Side Effects

Daypro may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):

  • For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:

  • Adults and children 16 years of age and older—1200 milligrams (mg) (two 600-mg tablets) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.

  • Children younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

  • For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:

  • Adults and children 16 years of age and older—1200 milligrams (mg) (two 600-mg tablets) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.

  • Children younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

  • Adults and children 16 years of age and older—1200 milligrams (mg) (two 600-mg tablets) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.

  • Children younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double up or take extra Daypro.

Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Daypro?

It’s important only to take your prescribed dose of Daypro. Taking too much can cause fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Rarely, an overdose of Daypro can lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, trouble breathing, or coma.

Precautions

What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Daypro?

Certain conditions increase the risk of developing complications from Daypro. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know about all your medical conditions and any allergies you have. 

What Happens If I Overdose on Daypro?

Overdose symptoms may include fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child’s progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing or speaking, headache, nausea, unusual sweating, or faintness.

This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or are using certain other medicines (eg, steroid or a blood thinner).

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

If you are rapidly gaining weight, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort, extreme tiredness or weakness, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, or excessive swelling of the hands, wrist, ankles, or feet, check with your doctor immediately. These may be symptoms of heart problems or your body keeping too much water.

Serious skin reactions, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, fever, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness and weakness. .

Possible warning signs of some serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual weight gain, yellow skin or eyes, decreased urination, unusual bleeding or bruising, or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur such as chest pain, tightness in chest, fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of skin, weakness, or slurring of speech. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Check with your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine, decrease in the frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.

Using this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause a delay in ovulation for women and may affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Before having any kind of surgery or medical tests, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine. It may be necessary for you to stop treatment for a while, or to change to a different medicine before your procedure.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Do not take Daypro if you:

  • Are allergic to oxaprozin or any other ingredient in Daypro Have developed asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction to aspirin or another NSAID medication Have recently had a CABG surgeryAre 30 weeks or more pregnant

What Other Medications Interact With Daypro?

Many medications may interact with Daypro. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter (OTC), and nonprescription products.

Certain medications increase the risk of bleeding if taken with Daypro, including:

  • Aspirin
  • Blood thinners like Jantoven (warfarin), Eliquis (apixaban), and Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
  • Corticosteroids like prednisone, Medrol (methylprednisolone), and dexamethasone
  • Other NSAIDs (e.g., Advil (ibuprofen), Naprosyn (naproxen)
  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor XR (venlafaxine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) including Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline)

Daypro can prevent certain blood pressure medications from working as well, including: 

  • Angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE inhibitors) like Zestril (lisinopril), Lotensin (benazepril), and Vasotec (enalapril)
  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) medications, such as Cozaar (losartan), Diovan (valsartan), and Benicar (olmesartan)
  • Beta-blockers like Lopressor (metoprolol), Tenormin (atenolol), and Trandate (labetalol)
  • Taking Daypro with ACE inhibitors or ARB medicines can also increase your chance of kidney problems, especially if you are older, take diuretic drugs (water pills), or have pre-existing kidney problems.

Daypro may decrease how well certain diuretic drugs work. Taking these medicines together can also increase your risk of kidney problems. Watch out for:

  • Bumex (bumetanide)
  • Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide)
  • Lasix (furosemide)
  • Thalitone (chlorthalidone)
  • Soaanz (torsemide)

Daypro may increase the levels of some drugs. Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose or monitor levels of these drugs more frequently. Daypro may increase levels of:

  • Digoxin
  • Lithium
  • Rasuvo (methotrexate)

This is not a complete list of all the drugs that may interact with Daypro. Always keep an up-to-date list of all the medicines your take and share this information with your healthcare provider and pharmacist any time there are changes.

What Medications Are Similar?

Many other NSAIDs are available to help treat the symptoms of arthritis. Most NSAIDs need to be taken multiple times per day to provide 24-hour pain relief. Daypro has the advantage of being long-acting, so you typically only need to take one dose per day.

Other NSAIDs include:

  • Celebrex (celecoxib)
  • Diclofenac (Lofena, Cataflam)
  • Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen)
  • Aleve or Naprosyn (naproxen)

This is a list of NSAIDs also used to treat arthritis. It is NOT a list of drugs recommended to take with Daypro. In fact, you should not use these drugs together. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medicines.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Daypro?

If you’re struggling with arthritis, you may find it hard to participate in the activities you love. Luckily, effective treatments, including NSAIDs like Daypro, can significantly improve your symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Daypro used for?
  • Daypro is used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children and adolescents 6 years and older.
  • How does Daypro work?
  • Daypro is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and works by decreasing pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation.
  • What medications shouldn’t be taken along with Daypro?
  • Do not take Aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), or Naprosyn (naproxen) with Daypro. Many other medicines interact with Daypro, so be sure to let your healthcare provider know about all the medicines you take.
  • What are the side effects of Daypro?
  • The most common side effects of Daypro include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, gas, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

Daypro is used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children and adolescents 6 years and older.

Daypro is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and works by decreasing pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation.

Do not take Aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), or Naprosyn (naproxen) with Daypro. Many other medicines interact with Daypro, so be sure to let your healthcare provider know about all the medicines you take.

The most common side effects of Daypro include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, gas, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

Be sure to review all the warnings associated with Daypro and discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider. Only use Daypro for the amount of time your healthcare provider has recommended since side effects are more likely to occur with longer use.

And don’t forget to ask about any non-drug therapies (e.g., exercise, weight loss, braces/splints) that may be appropriate for you. Combining non-drug treatments with medicines often produces the best results.

Medical Disclaimer

Verywell Health’s drug information is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.