Sulindac

Conditions Treated

Sulindac is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Sulindac also is used to treat pain in the shoulder caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint) and tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone). It is also used to relieve gouty arthritis (attacks of severe joint pain and swelling caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints). Sulindac is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Sulindac may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• nervousness
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• ringing in the ears

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more sulindac until you speak to your doctor:

• unexplained weight gain
• fever
• chills
• cough
• sweating
• flushing
• muscle or joint pain
• chest pain
• blisters
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• pale skin
• fast hearbeat
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination
• blurred vision or other problems with sight

Sulindac may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Sulindac comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food twice a day. Take sulindac at around the same times each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sulindac exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Sulindac helps control arthritis pain but does not cure arthritis. If you are taking sulindac to treat arthritis pain, it may take 1 week or longer before you feel the full benefit of sulindac.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking sulindac, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulindac, aspirin or or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik);angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); oral medications for diabetes; methotrexate (Rheumatrex); and probenecid (Benemid). tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); kidney stones; swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs;or liver or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sulindac.