Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
(DRESS) has been reported in patients taking NSAIDs such as Norgesic and
Norgesic Forte. Some of these events have been fatal or life-threatening. DRESS
typically, although not exclusively, presents with fever, rash,
lymphadenopathy, and/or facial swelling.
Other clinical manifestations may include hepatitis,
nephritis, hematological abnormalities, myocarditis, or myositis. Sometimes
symptoms of DRESS may resemble an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often
present. Because this disorder is variable in its presentation, other organ
systems not noted here may be involved. It is important to note that early
manifestations of hypersensitivity, such as fever or lymphadenopathy, may be
present even though rash is not evident. If such signs or symptoms are present,
discontinue Norgesic or Norgesic Forte and evaluate the patient immediately.
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Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus
Avoid use of NSAIDs, including Norgesic and Norgesic Forte,
in pregnant women at about 30 weeks gestation and later. NSAIDs including
Norgesic and Norgesic Forte, increase the risk of premature closure of the
fetal ductus arteriosus at approximately this gestational age.
Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment:
Use of NSAIDs, including Norgesic and Norgesic Forte, at
about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy may cause fetal renal
dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal
impairment. These adverse outcomes are seen, on average, after days to weeks of
treatment, although oligohydramnios has been infrequently reported as soon as
48 hours after NSAID initiation. Oligohydramnios is often, but not always,
reversible with treatment discontinuation. Complications of prolonged
oligohydramnios may, for example, include limb contractures and delayed lung
maturation. In some postmarketing cases of impaired neonatal renal function,
invasive procedures such as exchange transfusion or dialysis were required.
If NSAID treatment is necessary between about 20 weeks and
30 weeks gestation, limit Norgesic and Norgesic Forte use to the lowest
effective dose and shortest duration possible. Consider ultrasound monitoring
of amniotic fluid if Norgesic or Norgesic Forte treatment extends beyond 48
hours. Discontinue Norgesic or Norgesic Forte if oligohydramnios occurs and
follow up according to clinical practice [see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy].
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Risk Summary
Use of NSAIDs, including aspirin, 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 Norgesic and Norgesic Forte use between about
20 and 30 weeks of gestation, and avoid Norgesic and Norgesic Forte use at
about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy [see WARNINGS; Fetal
Toxicity].
Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus
Use of NSAIDs, including aspirin, 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 NSAIDs 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 trimesters of
pregnancy are inconclusive. In the general U.S. population, all clinically
recognized pregnancies, regardless of drug exposure, have a background rate of
2-4% for major malformations, and 15-20% for pregnancy loss.
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 aspirin, 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.
Clinical Considerations
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus:
Avoid use of NSAIDs in women at about 30 weeks gestation and
later in pregnancy, because NSAIDs, including Norgesic and Norgesic Forte, can
cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus [see WARNINGS; Fetal
Toxicity].
Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment
If an NSAID is necessary at about 20 weeks gestation or
later in pregnancy, limit the use to the lowest effective dose and shortest
duration possible. If Norgesic or Norgesic Forte treatment extends beyond 48
hours, consider monitoring with ultrasound for oligohydramnios. If
oligohydramnios occurs, discontinue Norgesic or Norgesic Forte and follow up
according to clinical practice [see WARNINGS; Fetal Toxicity].
Data
Human Data
Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus:
Published literature reports that the use of NSAIDs at about
30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy may cause premature closure of the
fetal ductus arteriosus.
Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment:
Published studies and postmarketing reports describe
maternal NSAID use at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy associated
with fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases,
neonatal renal impairment. These adverse outcomes are seen, on average, after
days to weeks of treatment, although oligohydramnios has been infrequently
reported as soon as 48 hours after NSAID initiation. In many cases, but not
all, the decrease in amniotic fluid was transient and reversible with cessation
of the drug. There have been a limited number of case reports of maternal NSAID
use and neonatal renal dysfunction without oligohydramnios, some of which were
irreversible. Some cases of neonatal renal dysfunction required treatment with
invasive procedures, such as exchange transfusion or dialysis.
Methodological limitations of these postmarketing studies
and reports include lack of a control group; limited information regarding
dose, duration, and timing of drug exposure; and concomitant use of other
medications. These limitations preclude establishing a reliable estimate of the
risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes with maternal NSAID use. Because
the published safety data on neonatal outcomes involved mostly preterm infants,
the generalizability of certain reported risks to the full-term infant exposed
to NSAIDs through maternal use is uncertain.
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Pregnancy
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Inform pregnant women to avoid use of aspirin and other
NSAIDs starting at 30 weeks gestation because of the risk of the premature
closing of the fetal ductus arteriosus. If treatment with Norgesic or Norgesic
Forte is needed for a pregnant woman between about 20 to 30 weeks gestation,
advise her that she may need to be monitored for oligohydramnios, if treatment
continues for longer than 48 hours [see WARNINGS, Fetal Toxicity;
PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy].
Serious Skin Reactions, including DRESS
Advise patients to stop taking Norgesic or Norgesic Forte
immediately if they develop any type of rash or fever and to contact their
healthcare provider as soon as possible [see WARNINGS].