Relafen

The active ingredient in Relafen is nabumetone, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces pain and swelling by stopping your body's inflammatory process.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Relafen. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Relafen:

• Your doctor may occasionally adjust your dosage to ensure the best results. Never take this medication in excess or for longer than is advised. To treat your condition, use the lowest dose that works.
• Relafen is typically taken once or twice daily with or without meals. However, taking with food or milk may decrease the risk of an upset stomach.
• If you miss a dose of Relafen, take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost here, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Never take more medication to make up for a missed dose.
• You might require regular medical testing if you use this medication for an extended period.

The most common side effects of Relafen include:

• Stomach pain or upset stomach.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation or indigestion.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Headache.
• Blood in stool.
• Itching or skin rash.
• Excessive gas.
• Dry mouth.
• Stomach ulcers.
• Heartburn.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Relafen. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Liver problems - yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, nausea, exhaustion, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
• Kidney problems - weakness, disorientation, shortness of breath, and decrease in the amount of urine.
• Heart attack - shortness of breath, trouble breathing, sweating, jaw, neck, or shoulder pain, and chest pain.
• GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding - black or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, lightheadedness, or discomfort in the stomach.
• Severe allergic reactions - breathing difficulties, facial, tongue, or throat swelling, and hives.
• Serious skin reactions - blisters or a painful rash all over the body, skin peeling, and flu-like symptoms.
• Stroke - slurred speech, loss of balance, disorientation, and weakness on one side of the body.
• Heart failure - coughing, edema or fluid accumulation in the legs, feet, or ankles, unusual weight gain, and shortness of breath.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Relafen. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Relafen, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Relafen can raise your risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke, particularly if you have heart disease or use it frequently or in large doses. While taking this medication, even those without heart disease or risk factors may experience a heart attack or stroke.
• This medication should not be taken right before or right after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), also known as heart bypass surgery.
• Additionally, Relafen may result in potentially fatal intestinal or stomach bleeding. When taking Relafen, these side effects can happen suddenly, especially in older adults.
• If you have a nabumetone allergy or have experienced a severe allergic reaction or asthma attack after taking aspirin or an NSAID such as naproxen, you should avoid using Relafen.
• Tell your doctor about any history of heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, stomach ulcers or bleeding, asthma, liver or kidney disease, or fluid retention to ensure that Relafen is safe for you.
• If you're taking a blood thinner, like warfarin (Coumadin), let your doctor know. Bleeding is more likely when nabumetone and warfarin (Coumadin) are taken together. Your doctor might need to change your warfarin (Coumadin) dosage more frequently if you must take these drugs together.

Patients who have a history of asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs should not take Relafen, nor should those who have a known hypersensitivity to nabumetone or its excipients.

Compared to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, Relafen typically takes longer to start working. Relafen typically takes up to one week to start working and two weeks to get its full effects. Some relief may be noticed in the first one to two hours of taking the medication.

When Relafen is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• If you take any antidepressants, including citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone, consult your doctor before taking Relafen. You may bleed or bruise more easily if you take any of these medications with an NSAID.
• Lithium.
• Methotrexate.
• A blood thinner (e.g., rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban, Jantoven, warfarin, and Coumadin).
• Blood pressure or heart medication, such as a "water pill" or diuretic.
• Corticosteroids (prednisone, for example).

The usual initial dosage form is one gram taken orally as a single dose. For more pain relief, you might require a higher dosage of 1.5 or 2 grams daily, which can be taken as a single dose or split into two doses per day.

Store your Relafen at room temperature and keep it out of reach of children.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Relafen.

There are several lower-cost generic versions of Relafen available.

If you don't take Relafen as directed, you run the risk of your arthritis pain coming back or worsening. Talk to your doctor before changing your dose or stopping this medication.

Relafen should not be taken while pregnant unless prescribed by your doctor. NSAID use in the third trimester of pregnancy may result in complications and major heart or kidney issues for your unborn baby.

It is not known if Relafen is safe to take while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.