Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Nabumetone-500
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
NABUMETONE - 500 is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It has been prescribed for you by your doctor to treat arthritic symptoms such as swelling, stiffness and joint pain.
What it does:
NSAIDs do not cure arthritis, but they promote suppression of the inflammation and the tissue damaging effects resulting from this inflammation. This medicine will help you only as long as you continue to take it.
When it should not be used:
Do not take NABUMETONE - 500 if you are allergic to nabumetone or to any nonmedicinal ingredients of NABUMETONE - 500.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Your tablets contain the active ingredient nabumetone.
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:
NABUMETONE - 500 contains the nonmedicinal ingredients cros-carmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate and titanium dioxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
500 mg tablet: white, capsule-shaped, with "500" on one side and plain on the other side.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if the identifying markings or colour of your tablets appear different.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use NABUMETONE - 500 it is important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist about any of the following items so that your doctor may determine if NABUMETONE - 500 is suitable for you:
Allergy (including rash, asthma, hives, sinusitis or anaphylaxis
[sudden collapse]) when previously taking NABUMETONE - 500 or related anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g. ASA [acetylsalicylic acid], diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, tenoxicam, tiaprofenic acid and tolmetin).
Family member with asthma, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis or
chronic urticaria (hives).
Past history of (or current) stomach upset, ulcer, or liver, kidney or
heart disease.
- Blood or urine abnormalities.
- High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
- Special diet, such as low sodium or low sugar diet.
Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant while using
NABUMETONE - 500.
- Infant breast feeding.
- Other medical conditions such as alcohol abuse, bleeding problems etc.
While taking this medication:
- tell any other doctor, pharmacist or dentist you see, that you are taking NABUMETONE - 500.
- contact your doctor if you are not getting any relief of your arthritis or if you develop any unusual discomfort.
- report any untoward reactions to your doctor. This is very important as it will aid in the early detection and prevention of potential complications.
- regular medical checkups are essential.
- you should not take NABUMETONE - 500 when pregnant or breast feeding unless your doctor tells you to.
- do not take ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) or other drugs to relieve your arthritis unless directed by your doctor.
- not recommended for use in children since safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- do not give NABUMETONE - 500 to others because it may not be suitable for them.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication (either prescription or non-prescription) such as other NSAIDs, high blood pressure medication, blood thinners, corticosteroids, methotrexate, cyclosporin, lithium, phenytoin. It is important to tell your doctor, dentist and pharmacist if you are taking other medication, as combining drugs can sometimes result in a change from the expected drug effects, or cause harmful effects.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual Dose:
You should take NABUMETONE - 500 only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer period of time than your doctor ordered. Taking too much of any of these medicines may increase the chance of unwanted effects, especially if you are an elderly patient.
Be sure to take NABUMETONE - 500 regularly as prescribed. Try to take your tablets at the same time each day. The effect of NABUMETONE - 500 is evident early in treatment, however, in some types of arthritis, up to 1 week may pass before you feel the full relief from this medicine. It is important to keep taking NABUMETONE - 500 even after you start to feel better.
Generally, patients are instructed to take 1000 mg once a day. During treatment, your doctor may decide to increase the dosage up to 2000 mg each day, according to your response to the medication. In that case it may be divided in two doses per day.
Stomach upset is one of the common problems with NSAIDs. To lessen stomach upset, take this medicine immediately after a meal or with food or milk. You should swallow the tablets whole, with water or milk. Do not chew them. You should remain standing or sitting upright (i.e., do not lie down) for about 15 to 30 minutes after taking the medicine. This helps to prevent irritation that may lead to trouble swallowing. If stomach upset (indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea) occurs and continues, contact your doctor.
Page 26 of 26 If you are prescribed this medication for use over a long period of time, your doctor will check your health during regular visits to assess your progress and to ensure that this medicine is not causing unwanted effects.
Important: Your doctor may give you different instructions better suited to your specific needs. If you need more information on how to take NABUMETONE - 500 properly, double check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose:
If you have taken more NABUMETONE - 500 than you should have, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, or regional Poison Control Centre.
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a tablet, leave out that dose completely. Take your next dose at the normal time it is due.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Any medication can cause side effects. Most people tolerate the medicine well. Elderly, frail or debilitated patients often seem to experience more frequent or more serious side effects. The most common adverse effects associated with NABUMETONE - 500 are gastrointestinal, such as diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation and flatulence (i.e., large amounts of gas in the intestines). Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholic beverages. Therefore, do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.
Other side effects such as headaches, tiredness, dizziness, sleepiness, insomnia (i.e., not able to sleep) have also been observed. If dizziness occurs after taking NABUMETONE - 500, do not drive or operate machinery.
Consult your doctor if these symptoms become troublesome.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Consult your doctor if the following occur:
shortness of breath, wheezing, troubled breathing or tightness in
chest
blurred vision or any visual disturbance, ringing in the ears or
hearing problems
- skin rash, hives, swelling or itching
- swelling of face, feet or lower legs
vomiting or persistent indigestion, nausea, stomach pain or
diarrhea
- yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes
any change in the amount of, or colour of your urine (dark red or
brown)
- any pain or difficulty experienced while urinating
- malaise, fatigue, loss of appetite
- mental confusion, depression, dizziness, lightheadedness
If you develop a skin rash or asthma while you are taking NABUMETONE - 500, do not take any more tablets and contact your doctor at once.
Check with your doctor immediately if you experience unexpected weakness while taking this medication, or if you vomit any blood or have dark or bloody stools.
Some people may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. Exposure to sunlight or sunlamps, even for brief periods of
time, may cause sunburn, blisters on the skin, skin rash, redness, itching or discoloration; or vision changes. If you have a reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.
Check with your doctor immediately if chills, fever, muscle aches or pains, or other flu like symptoms occur, especially if they occur shortly before, or together with, a skin rash.
Very rarely, these effects may be the first signs of a serious reaction to this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking NABUMETONE - 500, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store your tablets in a dry place at room temperature in the original container provided by the pharmacy. Keep this medication out of reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada through the Canada Vigilance Program collects information on serious and unexpected side effects of drugs. If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Canada Vigilance:
By toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345
By toll-free fax: 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect By email: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
Canada Vigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and Effectiveness Information Bureau
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Tunney's Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This leaflet plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals, can be obtained by contacting Pro Doc Ltée at 1-800-361-8559, http://www.prodoc.qc.ca or info@prodoc.qc.ca .