Relafen prescription

Relafen

This page contains drug information on Relafen.
The information provided includes the following:

what is Relafen
the possible side effects of Relafen
what happens if you miss a dose of Relafen
what happens if you overdose with Relafen
the most important information about Relafen
how to use Relafen
other drugs that may affect Relafen
what to avoid while using Relafen

Generic Name: nabumetone (na BYOO me tone)
Brand Names: Relafen

What is the most important information I should know about nabumetone?

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Do not take nabumetone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to aspirin or another NSAID such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others.

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This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use nabumetone. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

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This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal. These gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking nabumetone. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

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Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Nabumetone may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

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Avoid drinking alcohol, or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day and are taking nabumetone, you may have an increased risk of dangerous stomach bleeding.

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Many over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, and pain medicines contain aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and others). Avoid taking other medicines that also contain an NSAID. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist if you are not sure.

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Avoid smoking, because it can increase your risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding.

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If you are taking nabumetone long-term, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. This is to make sure the medication is not causing harmful effects. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What is nabumetone?

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Nabumetone is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nabumetone works by reducing hormones that cause swelling and pain in the body. This medication also relieves pain and reduces fever.

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Nabumetone is used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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Nabumetone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nabumetone?

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Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

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NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal. These gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

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Before taking nabumetone, tell your doctor if you have:

a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

heart disease, congestive heart failure or fluid retention problems;

high blood pressure;

asthma;

a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or intestines;

liver or kidney disease; or

if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day.

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If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use nabumetone, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Nabumetone should not be taken during the third trimester of pregnancy because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart.

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It is not known whether nabumetone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take nabumetone?

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Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

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Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

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You may take nabumetone with or without food.

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Store nabumetone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Nabumetone is sometimes taken only when needed, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

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Symptoms of a nabumetone overdose may include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, decreased urination, and shallow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking nabumetone?

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Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Nabumetone may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

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Avoid drinking alcohol, or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day and are taking nabumetone, you may have an increased risk of dangerous stomach bleeding.

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Avoid smoking, because it can increase your risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding.

What are the possible side effects of nabumetone?

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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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Stop using nabumetone and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

chest pain, shortness of breath, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

bloody, black, or tarry stools;

coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

stomach cramps, indigestion, or heartburn;

confusion, seizure (convulsions);

a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;

nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

pale skin, unusual weakness; or

swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain.

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Continue using nabumetone and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

dizziness, headache, weakness, or tired feeling;

mild nausea, gas, diarrhea, or constipation;

white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

ringing in your ears;

dry mouth, increased sweating; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect nabumetone?

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Before taking nabumetone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);

diuretics (water pills);

an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others;

lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); or

methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

aspirin or similar medicine such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate (Trilisate, Tricosal, others), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's Pills);

bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol; or

another NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin, ketoprofen (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), and others.

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If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use nabumetone, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

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There may be other drugs not listed that can affect nabumetone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about nabumetone written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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