sulindac

• Risk factors: History of heart problems | History of heart bypass surgery | Taking higher doses of sulindac | Taking sulindac for a long time

Sulindac can raise your risk of having blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes. This can happen as early as within the first weeks of starting this medication. People with heart problems, those taking higher doses of sulindac, and those taking sulindac for a long time are at greater risk for these side effects. That’s why it’s important to take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time. If you have heart problems, talk to your healthcare provider before starting this medication. Don't take sulindac if you've had or will be having heart bypass surgery. Call 911 or seek immediate medical help if you experience chest pain, trouble breathing, weakness on one side of your body, or trouble speaking or walking.

• Risk factors: History of stomach bleeding or ulcers | Older adults | Taking aspirin (Aspir-Low), other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or blood thinners | Drinking alcohol | Smoking | Having poor health | Taking sulindac for a long time | Taking higher doses of sulindac

Sulindac can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers. It can also make it more difficult for your body to form blood clots, which can be dangerous. There are many conditions and medications that raise your risk of these problems, so speak with your provider before starting this medication. Stomach bleeding and ulcers can occur without warning or symptoms, so it's best to take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time to minimize your risk. If you take sulindac for a long time, you might need to get regular lab work to check if you have any bleeding inside your body. If you notice blood in your vomit, stool that looks like black coffee grounds, or if you have pain in your stomach that doesn't go away, stop this medication and talk to your healthcare provider right away.

• Risk factors: History of high blood pressure | History of heart failure

Sulindac can make it more difficult for your kidneys to pass urine. This can raise your blood pressure, and it can also cause your body to hold onto more water. Over time, this might lead to new or worsen existing blood pressure problems, heart failure, and swelling of your arms and legs. Sulindac can also interact with certain medications used to treat these conditions, such as furosemide (Lasix), lisinopril (Zestril), and losartan (Cozaar). Monitor your blood pressure closely when you take sulindac. It's not recommended to use sulindac if you have heart failure, unless the benefit of this medication is greater than the risk of side effects. Let your provider know right away if you notice any changes in your blood pressure or experience symptoms such as trouble breathing, tiredness, swelling in your body, or sudden weight gain.

• Risk factors: History of liver damage | Taking high doses of sulindac

Very rarely, sulindac can cause life-threatening liver damage. Your dose might be lower if you already have a history of liver damage. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you experience symptoms, such as fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, clay-colored stool, and dark urine, you might need to stop this medication.

• Risk factors: Older adults | Taking sulindac for a long time | Kidney problems | Heart failure | Liver problems | Loss of body fluid through conditions such as severe vomiting, bleeding, or diarrhea | Taking certain high blood pressure medications, such as water pills and ACEIs

Sulindac can damage your kidneys by slowing down blood flow to the kidneys. The risk is higher if you take this medication for a long time, take certain blood pressure medications (like ACEIs or water pills), or have certain conditions (like kidney or liver problems). This medication isn't recommended if you have very severe kidney problems, so discuss the risks and benefits of taking it with your provider. Your dose might be lower if you have a history of kidney damage. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice a change in how often you urinate after starting sulindac. Kidney damage usually goes away once you stop taking this medication.

Very rarely, sulindac causes kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney stones include sharp pain on either side of your lower back, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine. If you have a history of kidney stones, remember to drink water and keep hydrated while taking this medication. This will lower your risk of getting more stones.

Sulindac can cause pancreatitis, a swelling of the pancreas. If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis, such as pain that starts in your stomach and spreads to your back, nausea, vomiting, and fever, stop this medication and get medical help right away.

• Risk factors: Asthma and stuffy nose with or without nasal polyps | Allergic reaction to aspirin

Sulindac can cause your airways to tighten, which might lead to severe asthma attacks. Be careful using this medication if you have asthma. People who have experienced asthma attacks triggered by aspirin (Aspir-Low) or other NSAIDs in the past should avoid sulindac. Call 911 right away if your throat tightens and you can't breathe.

Sulindac might cause sudden and very serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Symptoms include fever, body aches, cough, peeling skin, and painful blisters all over your body (especially the skin around the eyes, mouth, throat, or genitals). This medication might also cause drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Early signs of DRESS include fever and swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small groups of glands located in areas such as the neck and armpits. Symptoms of DRESS can also include rash, swelling of the face, and in severe cases, multiple organ damage. Stop the medication and get medical help right away at the earliest signs of serious allergic and skin reactions.

• Risk factors: Currently pregnant

If sulindac is taken during or after the second trimester of pregnancy, it can lower the amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb). This can occur as soon as 2 days after starting the medication and result in serious kidney problems in your unborn baby. Babies born to mothers who take sulindac starting the third trimester of pregnancy or later can also develop heart problems. This medication is typically not used in pregnancy unless the benefit is greater than the risk of side effects and harm to the unborn baby. Talk to your provider if you're thinking of getting pregnant or become pregnant while taking sulindac.