What is Relafen?
Relafen (NSAID) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Nabumetone reduces hormones that cause inflammation and pain.Relafen relieves the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.Relafen can be used in other ways than those listed in the medication guide.
Side effects of Relafen
If you experience any of the following symptoms: hives or other allergic reactions; sneezing or runny nose; difficulty breathing; swelling around your mouth or face; or a severe reaction (fever or sore throat with burning eyes; skin pain or blistering), call 911.
Seek immediate medical care if you notice any of the symptoms.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using Relafen immediately and contact your doctor.
- Shortness of breath even with mild exercise
- Swelling or rapid weight gain
- The first sign of any skin rash is important, regardless of how mild it may be.
- Signs of stomach bleeding—bloody or tarry stool, coughing blood, or vomit that looks like coffee ground;
- Liver problems: nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching and fatigue, flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite; dark urine; clay-colored stools or stools with a brownish color; jaundice.
- Kidney disease: little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling of your ankles or feet; fatigue; or feeling short of breath.
- Anemia (low red blood cells), pale skin, unusual fatigue, feeling lightheaded or short-of-breath, cold hands and/or feet
Relafen may cause side effects such as:
- Stomach pain, indigestion, nausea;
- Diarrhea, constipation, gas;
- Swelling in the hands and feet
- Headache, dizziness;
- Itching, skin rash
- Ringing in the ears
There may be other side effects.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Relafen may increase your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke. This is especially true if you take it in high doses, use it over a long period of time, or have heart disease. This medicine should not be taken before or immediately after heart bypass surgery.Relafen can also cause fatal stomach or intestinal bleeding. Relafen can cause these conditions without warning, especially for older adults.If you experience symptoms of stomach or intestinal bleeding, call your doctor immediately. You may have black, bloody, or tarry stool, or you might cough up blood or vomit, which looks like coffee ground.Ask your pharmacist or doctor before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medications. Aspirin and other medications similar to Relafen are found in many over-the-counter medicines (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). You may accidentally overdose on this medication if you combine certain products. Check the label to see if any other medication you use contains aspirin or ibuprofen. Relafen should not be taken with alcohol. Alcohol can increase your risk of bleeding in the stomach caused by nabumetone. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Relafen may make your skin more susceptible to sunburn.
Before you take this drug
Relafen may increase your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke, particularly if taken long-term, in high doses, or if heart disease is present. This medicine can cause a heart attack or stroke in people who do not have heart disease or other risk factors.This medicine should not be used before or immediately after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).Relafen can also cause fatal stomach or intestinal bleeding. Relafen can cause these conditions without warning, especially for older adults.Relafen should not be used if you're allergic to nabumetone or if your asthma attacks or severe allergic reactions have occurred after taking an NSAID or aspirin.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Relafen will be safe for you:
- Diabetes, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol;
- A heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding
- Asthma;
- Liver or kidney disease
- Fluid retention.
Do not take Relafen if you are pregnant unless you have been told to by your doctor. NSAIDs can cause kidney or heart problems for the unborn child and other complications during pregnancy.Relafen has not been FDA-approved for anyone under the age of 18.
How to take Relafen?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may change your dosage from time to time in order to get you the best results. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it for longer than necessary. Use the lowest effective dose to treat your condition.Relafen is taken either with food or without.You may need to undergo frequent medical tests if you take this medication for a long time.Keep away from moisture and heat at room temperature. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.You should read all the information provided, including medication guides and instructions. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for osteoarthritis:
Initial: Orally, 1000 mg once daily at bedtime.
Maintenance: 1500–2000 mg orally, divided into 1–2 doses.Maximum daily dosage is 2000mg
Adult dose for rheumatoid arthritis:
Initial: Orally, 1000 mg once daily at bedtime.
Maintenance: 1500–2000 mg orally, divided into 1–2 doses. Maximum daily dosage is 2000mg
What happens if I miss the dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dosage if your next dose is scheduled soon. It is not necessary to take additional medicine in order to make up for missed medication
What happens if I overdose?
For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.
What should be avoided?
Smoking and drinking alcohol are both bad for you. You may be at greater risk of bleeding in your stomach if you smoke and drink alcohol.Before using any pain, cold, allergy, or other medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin and other medications similar to Relafen are found in many over-the-counter medicines. You can get too much Relafen by taking certain products with each other. You can check the label of a medication to see if it contains aspirin or ibuprofen.Avoid tanning beds or exposure to sunlight. Relafen may make you more susceptible to sunburn. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen (SPF 30) or higher.
Interaction with other drug
Before using Relafen, ask your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant, such as citalopram (Prozac), escitalopram (Citalopram), fluvoxamine (Paroxetine), sertraline (Zoloft), or vilazodone. Taking these medications with an NSAID can cause you to bleed or bruise easily.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop taking any of your current ones.
- Lithium;
- Methotrexate;
- A blood thinner (examples include warfarin or coumadin; jantoven; apixaban; dabigatran; and rivaroxaban);
- Heart or blood pressure medications, including diuretics or "water pills";
- Steroid medicines (such as prednisone)
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with Nabumetone. The drug guide doesn't list every possible interaction.
