Nabumetone (Relafen): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

What is nabumetone used for?

Nabumetone is commonly used to treat pain and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Nabumetone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does nabumetone work (mechanism of action)?

Nabumetone works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause pain, inflammation, and fever.

How is nabumetone supplied (dosage forms)?

Nabumetone is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

500 mg oral tablets
750 mg oral tablets
1000 mg oral tablets

How should I store nabumetone?

Nabumetone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place in a tight, light-resistant container.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of nabumetone?

The most common side effects of nabumetone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Upset stomach or stomach pain
Constipation or diarrhea
Gas or heartburn
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
Rash

There may be other side effects of nabumetone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of nabumetone?

While less common, the most serious side effects of nabumetone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Heart Attack and Stroke. Nabumetone can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is increased in people with existing heart disease and with longer use of nabumetone and higher doses. Do not take nabumetone if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Chest pain or pressure
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
Sudden weakness on one side of your body
Sudden and severe headache
Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Nabumetone may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

Sudden severe headache
Chest pain
Dizziness or confusion
Trouble breathing
Nausea/vomiting
Blurry or other changes to vision
Anxiety
Buzzing in the ears
Nosebleed
Feeling of skipped heart beats

Heart Failure. Nabumetone may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Unusually fast weight gain
Unusual tiredness

Bleeding. Nabumetone can increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you have a bleeding disorder or take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of bleeding including easy bruising or bleeding.

Stomach Bleeding. Nabumetone can increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, take higher doses of nabumetone or take it for longer than directed, have poor health, are age 60 or older, have liver disease, smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain other medicines. Stop taking nabumetone and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

Vomit blood
Black or tarry poop
Stomach pain that does not go away
Upset stomach
Feel faint

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking nabumetone. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

Reduced need to pee
Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
Confusion
Nausea
Seizures

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nabumetone can cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain
Dark colored urine
Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Nabumetone can cause severe skin reactions called exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop nabumetone and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
Red, painful, watery eyes

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking nabumetone. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

Nausea or vomiting
Stomach or belly pain
Fever
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Itching
Loss of appetite
Light-colored poop
Dark-colored urine
Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Anemia. Nabumetone may cause anemia, which is a condition that causes low levels of red blood cells. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

Unusual weakness or tiredness
Cold hands and feet
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Pale or yellowish skin
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
Shortness of breath

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use nabumetone?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take nabumetone.

Nabumetone
Relafen
Aspirin or any other medicine known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific nabumetone products they stock.

Heart Surgery. Do not take nabumetone right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Taking nabumetone during this time can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

What should I know about nabumetone before using it?

Do not take nabumetone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share nabumetone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep nabumetone out of the reach of children.

Nabumetone can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

People aged 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects of nabumetone. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using nabumetone?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if nabumetone is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Heart problems such as heart failure or a recent heart attack
Bleeding problems
Kidney or liver problems
Fluid retention (edema)
Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach problems like heartburn
High blood pressure
Asthma
Stroke

Other Medicines and Supplements. Nabumetone may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking nabumetone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take nabumetone at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy without talking to your healthcare provider. Strictly avoid nabumetone at 30 weeks of pregnancy. Taking nabumetone during this time may cause harm to an unborn baby and complications during delivery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take nabumetone while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if nabumetone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take nabumetone while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does nabumetone interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between nabumetone and foods or drinks.

Drinking alcohol while taking nabumetone increases your risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does nabumetone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking nabumetone.

Any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen and others, which are present in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products including those for pain, swelling, and fever
A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart conditions
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression
A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with nabumetone. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Nabumetone (Relafen) interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much nabumetone?

If you or someone else has taken too much nabumetone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of nabumetone?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.