Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Brand names - Relafen

Medication type - NSAID

Common side effects - Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation, headache, dizziness, sleepiness.

Rare side effects - Ulcers or sores in mouth, depression, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in the ears, unusual tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, seizures, blurred vision. Also elevated potassium levels, decreased blood counts; such problems can be detected by your doctor.

Serious side effects - Shortness of breath or wheezing, with or without swelling of legs or other signs of heart failure; chest pain; peptic ulcer disease with vomiting of blood; black, tarry stools; decreasing kidney function. Call your doctor immediately.

Dosage - Adults: 1,000 mg once a day. It may be increased to a maximum of 2,000 mg a day.

Uses - To treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation.

Other notes - Take with food. Prolonged use can cause gastrointestinal problems, including ulceration and bleeding, kidney dysfunction, and liver inflammation. Consult your doctor about the need for medical examinations and lab studies. Avoid alcohol when using this medication because it increases the risk of stomach irritation. Avoid or discontinue this drug if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Nabumetone passes into breast milk; avoid use while breast feeding. Because NSAIDs can interfere with blood coagulation, this drug should be stopped at least 3 days prior to any surgery. Do not take this drug with aspirin or any other NSAIDs without your doctors approval