Tolmetin

Conditions Treated

Tolmetin is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Tolmetin is also used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children 2 years of age and older. Tolmetin 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?

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

• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• weight gain or loss
• headache
• depression
• skin irritation
• 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 tolmetin until you speak to your doctor:

• changes in vision
• unexplained weight gain
• fever
• blisters
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• 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
• pale skin
• fast heartbeat
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination

Tolmetin 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

Tolmetin comes as a tablet and a capsule to take by mouth. Adults usually take tolmetin three times a day on an empty stomach, and children older than 2 years of age usually take tolmetin three or four times a day on an empty stomach. Take tolmetin at around the same times every day. It is best to take the first dose of the day just after waking in the morning and to take the last dose of the day at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tolmetin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if tolmetin upsets your stomach. Your doctor may tell you to take tolmetin with an antacid to prevent stomach upset. Your doctor will tell you which antacids are safe to take with tolmetin. Tolmetin may help to control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Your symptoms may improve within one week after you start to take tolmetin, but it may take several weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of the medication. Talk to your doctor about how tolmetin is working for you.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

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

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking tolmetin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tolmetin, aspirin, or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in tolmetin tablets or capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingeredients. 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); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and methotrexate (Rheumatrex) . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. 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); swelling of the hands, 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 tolmetin. you should know that this drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.