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Common uses
Relafen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is used to relieve the inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis).
Before using
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).
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 and 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.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Relafen, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Before taking Relafen, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
• liver or kidney disease,
• asthma;
• polyps in your nose;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
• if you smoke.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Relafen, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
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. Taking Relafen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take Relafen during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. It is not known whether Relafen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child without the advice of a doctor.
Directions
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 regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth usually once or twice daily with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters), unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug. If stomach upset occurs while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an antacid.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. To minimize side effect risks (e.g., 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 frequently 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 (e.g., 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 significantly worsened, the medicine may not work as well.
Cautions
This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. Also, related drugs rarely have caused blood clots to form, resulting in heart attacks and strokes. This medication might also rarely cause similar problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of treatment, as well as other possible medication choices.
If you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects, stop taking nabumetone and seek immediate medical attention: black stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, slurred speech.
Possible side effects
Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, gas, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify 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 immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: stomach pain, swelling of the hands or feet, sudden or unexplained weight gain, vision changes, hearing changes (e.g., ringing in the ears), mental/mood changes, fast/pounding heartbeat, persistent/severe headache, fainting, sun sensitivity, difficult/painful swallowing.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, easy bruising or bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), 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: yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual/extreme tiredness, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, 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.
If you take too much
Nabumetone overdose has been rarely reported. If acute overdosage occurs, it is recommended that the stomach be emptied by vomiting or lavage and institution of general supportive measures as necessary. In addition, the use of activated charcoal, up to 60 g, may effectively reduce nabumetone absorption. Coadministration of nabumetone with activated charcoal orally in man has resulted in an 80% decrease in maximum plasma concentrations of the active metabolite.
Additional information
You should have frequent checkups with your doctor if you take Relafen regularly. Ulcers or internal bleeding can occur with or without warning.
Drug interactions
Before taking Relafen, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Relafen or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Relafen. 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.
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