Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Relafen

Generic Name: nabumetone (Pronunciation: na BUE me tone)

• What is nabumetone (Relafen)?
• What are the possible side effects of nabumetone (Relafen)?
• What is the most important information I should know about nabumetone (Relafen)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nabumetone (Relafen)?
• How should I take nabumetone (Relafen)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Relafen)?
• What happens if I overdose (Relafen)?
• What should I avoid while taking nabumetone (Relafen)?
• What other drugs will affect nabumetone (Relafen)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is nabumetone (Relafen)?

Nabumetone is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nabumetone works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Nabumetone is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.

Nabumetone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Nabumetone 500 mg-EON

oval, white, imprinted with E 145

Nabumetone 500 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93, 15

Nabumetone 750 mg-EON

oblong, white, imprinted with E 146

Nabumetone 750 mg-TEV

oblong, beige, imprinted with 93, 16

Relafen 500 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with RELAFEN, 500

Relafen 750 mg

oblong, pink, imprinted with RELAFEN, 750

What are the possible side effects of nabumetone (Relafen)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking nabumetone and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
• bloating, gas;
• dizziness, headache, nervousness;
• skin itching or rash;
• blurred vision; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about nabumetone (Relafen)?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use nabumetone. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine 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 nabumetone. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to nabumetone (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking nabumetone. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by nabumetone.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Nabumetone can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result.