Nabumetone works well to relieve symptoms of arthritis such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Compared to similar medications, it has lower risks for stomach-related side effects.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Nabumetone is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks the inflammatory process in your body, which relieves pain and swelling.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Burning feeling in chest or stomach
indigestion
stomach upset
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
tenderness in stomach area
vomiting
Rare
Bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
bloody or black, tarry stools
bloody or cloudy urine
burning upper abdominal pain
changes in vision
chills
clay-colored stools
dark-colored urine
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
fluid-filled skin blisters
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
hives or welts
increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
increased thirst
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
pain in lower back or side
pinpoint red spots on skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
rapid breathing
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
redness or other discoloration of skin
severe or continuing stomach pain
severe sunburn
shortness of breath
skin thinness
sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
stomach bloating, burning, or cramping
swelling of face, fingers, feet or lower legs
tightness in chest
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vaginal bleeding
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weight gain or loss
yellow eyes or skin
Symptoms of overdose
Agitation
blurred vision
coma
confusion
hostility
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
irritability
muscle twitching
nervousness
pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
pounding in the ears
seizures
severe stomach pain
slow heartbeat
stupor
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
bloated full feeling
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
hearing loss
indigestion
mild diarrhea
passing gas
Less common
Increased sweating
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
Rare
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
general feeling of discomfort or illness
increased appetite
lack or loss of strength
lightheadedness
sensation of spinning
shakiness in legs, arms, hands, feet
trembling or shaking of hands or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usually taken only once a day, while other NSAIDs need to be taken a few times a day for the same effect
Nabumetone causes less stomach-related side effects than other NSAIDs, like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
Not recommended if you have severe heart failure or if you are pregnant
Nabumetone can cause serious complications including heart issues, stomach bleeding, and kidney problems if taken for a long period of time.
You can take nabumetone with or without food, but taking it with food or milk can help you avoid having an upset stomach.
If you are allergic to aspirin, there is a chance you may be allergic to nabumetone as well. Tell your provider about all your allergies.
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications that can interact with nabumetone. Naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil) are in the same drug class as nabumetone, so be very careful not to combine these medications, because it can raise your risk for bleeding. Always ask your pharmacist or provider if a new medication is safe to take along with nabumetone.
If you're age 65 or older, you're at a greater risk for stomach-related problems and kidney problems while taking this medication. You should take the lowest dose of nabumetone for the shortest amount of time that's necessary to treat your pain.
Let your provider know if you're currently taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). When warfarin (Coumadin) is taken together with nabumetone, there is a greater risk for bleeding. If you have to take these medications together, your provider may have to adjust your warfarin (Coumadin) dose more often.
Nabumetone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Long-term use | History of heart disease | History of heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft/CABG)
Taking nabumetone for long periods of time can raise your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you've had a history of heart disease or are planning a heart bypass surgery. Take nabumetone for the shortest amount of time possible needed to control your symptoms in order to lower this risk. Talk to your provider about alternatives to nabumetone if you're going to have heart bypass surgery.
Risk factors: Age 65 or older | History of GI bleed or peptic ulcer disease | Longer duration of treatment | Use of oral corticosteroids, aspirin, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | Smoking | Alcohol use
Taking nabumetone can raise your risk of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Talk to your provider if you suddenly get sharp pains in your stomach or you notice bright, red blood in your vomit or dark, tarry stool.
Risk factors: History of high blood pressure
Nabumetone can raise your blood pressure, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly as instructed by your provider.
Risk factors: History of heart failure
Nabumetone can worsen your symptoms of heart failure, including fluid buildup, which can lead to heart attacks and hospitalizations. Therefore, if you have heart failure, the risks and benefits of using nabumetone should be discussed with your provider before starting this medication. If you have heart failure and are taking nabumetone, your provider will likely monitor you for signs of worsening heart failure.
Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Heart failure | Liver problems | Taking diuretics (water pills) | Age 65 or older
Nabumetone and similar medications in the NSAID family can cause decreased kidney function or permanent kidney damage. If you experience irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, poor urine output, confusion, or weakness while taking this medication, let your provider know.
Nabumetone and similar medications in the NSAID family can cause liver problems. Your provider might order blood tests to make sure that your liver is healthy. Let your provider know if you experience nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, yellowing of skin or whites of your eyes while taking this medication.
Risk factors: History of allergic reaction to aspirin or NSAIDs | Aspirin-sensitive asthma
If you've experienced a serious allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs in the past, then there's a chance that you may develop an allergic reaction to nabumetone as well. Let your provider know about all of your allergies before starting this medication. If you experience hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat after taking nabumetone, get medical help right away.
Risk factors: History of serious skin reactions to NSAIDs
Nabumetone can cause life-threatening skin reactions such as painful rash or blisters all over the body and peeling of the skin. You may also experience flu-like symptoms. If this happens, you will need to stop taking this medication and switch to a different one.
Nabumetone is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, because it can cause serious harm to the unborn baby. If you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your provider about other safer medications.
Risk factors: Taking with other blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, warfarin) | Taking with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Nabumetone can raise your risk of bleeding which can lead to anemia (low red blood cells). If you experience fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, or dizziness after taking this medication, let your provider know. Regular blood tests may need to be done to make sure that your red blood cells are within normal levels.
The typical starting dose is 1 gram by mouth taken as a single dose. For additional pain relief, you may need a higher dose of 1.5 grams or 2 grams per day (can be taken as a single dose or divided into a twice-daily dose).
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, including flare-ups
Moderate-to-severe ankylosing spondylitis
Moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis
Shoulder pain caused by bursitis or tendonitis
Gouty arthritis - all forms except extended-release (ER) capsules
Pain from osteoarthritis (capsules, tablets, and oral suspension)
Pain from rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) (tablets and oral suspension)
Moderate-to-severe pain (Anjeso injection)
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