- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Relafan GENERIC NAME(S): Nabumetone
Uses: Nabumetone is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness from arthritis. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
**Please read this information carefully** If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Relafen
GENERIC NAME(S): NABUMETONE
Uses
Nabumetone is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness from arthritis. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
If you are treating a chronic condition such as arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section.
OTHER USES:
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This medication may also be used to treat gout attacks.
How to use nabumetone
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using nabumetone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters). Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug. To prevent stomach upset, take it with food, milk, or an antacid.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To minimize side effect risks (such as stomach bleeding), use this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible length of time. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. For chronic conditions such as arthritis, continue taking it as directed by your doctor. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor or pharmacist.
In certain conditions (such as arthritis), it may take up to 2 weeks when this drug is taken regularly before you notice the full benefits.
If you are taking this drug on an "as needed" basis (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.
Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.
Side Effects See also Warning section.
Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, gas, dizziness, drowsiness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: swelling of the hands or feet(edema), sudden or unexplained weight gain, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears), mental/mood changes, difficult/painful swallowing, unusual tiredness.
Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, unexplained stiff neck.
This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking nabumetone and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes or skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
NABUMETONE Side Effects List
Nabumetone side effects by likelihood and severity.
The following side effects are associated with nabumetone:
Common side effects of nabumetone: ·
Itching Severe
· Rash Severe
· Ringing in the Ears Severe
· Visible Water Retention Severe
· Water Retention Severe
· Conditions of Excess Stomach Acid Secretion Less Severe
· Diarrhea Less Severe
· Dizzy Less Severe
· Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
· Gas Less Severe
· Head Pain Less Severe
· Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
· Stomach Cramps Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of nabumetone: ·
Burning Stomach Severe
· Canker Sore Severe
· Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
· Drowsiness Less Severe
· Dry Mouth Less Severe
· Easily Angered or Annoyed Less Severe
· Excessive Sweating Less Severe
· Mouth Irritation Less Severe
· Nervous Less Severe
· Throwing Up Less Severe
Rare side effects of nabumetone: ·
A Rupture in the Wall of the Stomach or Intestine Severe
· Abnormal Heart Rhythm Severe
· Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
· Acquired Decrease of All Cells in the Blood Severe
· Acute Inflammation of the Pancreas Severe
· Anemia Severe
· Angina Severe
· Bleeding of the Stomach or Intestines Severe
· Blurred Vision Severe
· Bronchospasm Severe
· Chest Pain Severe
· Chest Tightness Severe
· Confused Severe
· Decreased Blood Platelets Severe
· Decreased Neutrophils a Type of White Blood Cell Severe
· Decreased White Blood Cells Severe
· Deficiency of Granulocytes a Type of White Blood Cell Severe
· Depression Severe
· Difficulty Swallowing Severe
· Double Vision Severe
· Erythema Multiforme Severe
· Feeling Faint Severe
· Fever Severe
· Giant Hives Severe
· Heart Attack Severe
· Hepatitis Severe
· Hepatitis caused by Drugs Severe
· High Blood Pressure Severe
· Hives Severe
· Infiltration of White Blood Cells into the Lungs Severe
· Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy Severe
· Inflammation of the Lining of the Stomach and Intestines Severe
· Inflammation of the Skin with Blisters Severe
· Interstitial Nephritis Severe
· Kidney Damage Severe
· Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe
· Low Blood Counts due to Bone Marrow Failure Severe
· Mental Impairment Severe
· Mood Changes Severe
· Painful, Red or Swollen Tongue Severe
· Problems with Eyesight Severe
· Reaction due to an Allergy Severe
· Red Blood in Bowel Movement Severe
· Skin Rash with Sloughing Severe
· Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Severe
· Stomach or Intestinal Ulcer Severe
· Stomach Ulcer Severe
· Stroke Severe
· Throwing Up Blood Severe
· Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Severe
· Trouble Breathing Severe
· Ulcer from Stomach Acid Severe
· Ulcers of Esophagus Severe
· Vasculitis Severe
· Vocal Cord Swelling Severe
· Wheezing Severe
· Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems Severe
· Anxious Less Severe
· Heart Throbbing or Pounding Less Severe
· Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
· Low Energy Less Severe
· Not Feeling Well Less Severe
· Sun-Sensitive Skin Less Severe
· Taste Problems Less Severe
Precautions See also Warning section.
Before taking nabumetone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), bleeding or clotting problems, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), heart disease (such as previous heart attack), high blood pressure, liver disease, stroke, stomach/intestinal/esophagus problems (such as bleeding, ulcers, recurring heartburn).
Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of NSAID medications, including nabumetone. Problems are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to prevent dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have any unusual change in the amount of urine.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths or sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially stomach bleeding and kidney problems.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: aliskiren, ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril), angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan, valsartan), cidofovir, corticosteroids (such as prednisone), cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, pemetrexed, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide).
This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others.
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, or ketorolac). These drugs are similar to nabumetone and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, extreme drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed or shallow breathing.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Non-drug treatment for arthritis that is approved by your doctor (such as weight loss if needed, strengthening and conditioning exercises) may help improve your flexibility, range of motion, and joint function. Consult your doctor for specific instructions.
Missed Dose
If you are prescribed this drug on a regular schedule (not just "as needed") and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details.
Information last revised June 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.