Depending on the drugstore you visit, a supply of 90 Duexis oral pills (26.6 mg-800 mg) costs roughly $2,601 for a supply of 90 tablets. Prices are only valid for cash paying consumers and do not apply to insurance programs.
Is there a generic form of Duexis?
The first generic of Duexis, ibuprofen-famotidine, was approved by the FDA in August 2021 and is currently available and included in the Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Portal (WCMSAP) as of September 2021. When compared to the brand-name formulation, the new generic’s average wholesale price (AWP) is 67 percent lower.
Though it has been used off-label for other pain disorders, the combo medication Duexis is only FDA-approved to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis symptoms, as well as NSAID-induced ulcer prophylaxis. Duexis is not indicated as a first-line treatment since its active ingredients are available in a variety of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) strengths that are more cost-effective when used together than the Duexis combination solution. For comparison, single-ingredient generic ibuprofen and generic famotidine are also available, and their prices are shown in the table below.
For WCMSAs, the price impact of switching from Duexis to generic ibuprofen-famotidine or its individual generic components, based on September 2021 WCMSAP pricing.
*Generic 200 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg ibuprofen are also available over-the-counter.
Famotidine 40 mg twice daily is the recommended dose for NSAID-induced ulcer prophylaxis. Please keep in mind that the RED BOOK AWP may alter at any time.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) generally requires generic drug fills reported on pharmacy invoices where claimants have a history of brand-name medication use to facilitate allocation for the lower-cost generic product in a WCMSA.
Can you buy Duexis over the counter?
Only with a prescription is Duexis (ibuprofen / famoditine) available. Ibuprofen and famotidine, both of which are over-the-counter drugs, are available separately.
Do you have to take Duexis with food?
Before you start taking ibuprofen/famotidine, and every time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide issued by your pharmacist. Inquire with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
Take this medication by mouth three times a day, as instructed by your doctor. It should be taken with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 mL). After taking this medication, do not lie down for at least 10 minutes. Take this drug with food, milk, or an antacid if you have stomach distress while taking it.
Swallow the whole thing. The drug should not be chewed, crushed, or split. Splitting the pill could result in insufficient famotidine to prevent ulcers.
The dosage is determined by your medical condition and treatment response. Take this drug at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time feasible to minimise the risk of stomach bleeding and other adverse effects. Do not raise your dose or take this medication more frequently than recommended.
It could take up to two weeks of consistent use of this medication to reap the full benefits.
To receive the best benefit from this drug, take it on a daily basis. Take it at the same times every day to help you remember.
How often can I take Duexis 800 mg?
DUEXIS, a combination of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen and the histamine H2-receptor antagonist famotidine, is used to treat the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as to reduce the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers, which were defined as a gastric and/or duodenal ulcer in clinical trials, in patients taking ibuprofen for those conditions. Patients under the age of 65 who had never had a gastrointestinal ulcer were primarily enrolled in the clinical trials. The duration of a controlled study is usually no more than six months.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Before opting to use DUEXIS, carefully evaluate the potential advantages and hazards of DUEXIS as well as other treatment choices. Use the smallest effective dose of ibuprofen for the shortest time possible, in accordance with the specific patient’s treatment goals.
The recommended daily dose of DUEXIS (ibuprofen and famotidine) is 800 mg/26.6 mg, which is taken orally three times a day.
DUEXIS tablets should not be broken or chewed in order to get a lower dose. Tablets should not be chewed, divided, or crushed.
Patients should be told that if they miss a dosage, they should take it as soon as possible. If the next planned dose is due, the patient should be instructed not to take the missed dose and to take the next dose on time. To make up for a missing dose, patients should be told not to take two doses at once.
DUEXIS should not be used in place of single-ingredient ibuprofen or famotidine products.
Storage And Handling
DUEXIS (ibuprofen and famotidine) tablets, 800 mg/26.6 mg, are light blue, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets debossed with “HZT” on one side and are available in the following strengths:
Can I take ibuprofen and famotidine instead of Duexis?
Ibuprofen and famotidine tablets should not be taken together instead of DUEXIS since they do not act in the same way.
Is Duexis the same as ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen and Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine) are used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
When there is a high risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers, Duexis is prescribed.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as Duexis and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs, but Duexis additionally contains a histamine H2-receptor antagonist.
Stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, or blurred vision are all common side effects of Duexis and ibuprofen.
Duexis has various side effects than ibuprofen, such as stomach discomfort, throat irritation, color vision alterations, and back pain.
Nervousness, skin itching or rash, or ringing in the ears are all side symptoms of ibuprofen that are not present with Duexis.
Blood thinners, antidepressants, and cold, allergy, or pain treatments containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may all interact with Duexis and ibuprofen (NSAIDs).
Alcohol, aspirin, lithium, methotrexate, heart or blood pressure drugs, diuretics (water pills), or steroids may all interact with ibuprofen.
Does DUEXIS make you gain weight?
If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or difficulties breathing; swelling in your face or throat), or a severe skin reaction, seek immediate medical attention (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
If you suffer signs of a heart attack or stroke, seek immediate medical attention: chest discomfort that spreads to your jaw or shoulder, abrupt numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, or shortness of breath.
- Fever, headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, and sleepiness are some of the symptoms that can occur.
- Loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), weariness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored feces, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) are all symptoms of liver disorders.
- pale skin, unusual exhaustion, feeling light-headed or short of breath, chilly hands and feet; or low red blood cells (anemia)pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or
- Bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds are all indicators of stomach bleeding.
Some side effects may be more common in the elderly and those with severe kidney disease.
This is not an exhaustive list of potential adverse effects; more may arise. For medical advice on side effects, contact your doctor. You can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Read the whole Duexis patient monograph in its entirety (Ibuprofen and Famotidine Tablets)
Is DUEXIS a prescription drug?
DUEXIS combines the convenience of prescription-strength ibuprofen with a stomach-protecting drug in one tablet, allowing you to get the relief you need from the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) while reducing your risk of stomach ulcers.