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What is Relafen
 Relafen
is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). Relafen works by reducing hormones that cause
inflammation and pain in the body.
Relafen
is used to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused
by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Relafen
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Relafen
Take Relafen with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen
stomach upset.
Remaining upright (sitting or standing)
for 15 to 30 minutes after each dose may prevent irritation
of the esophagus (throat).
If you drink more than
three alcoholic beverages a day, Relafen may increase the
risk of stomach bleeding.
What you should find out before taking
Relafen
Before taking Relafen, tell your doctor if you
-
have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
-
have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach,
- drink
more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
- have
liver or kidney disease,
- have a coagulation (bleeding)
disorder,
- have congestive heart failure,
-
have fluid retention,
- have heart disease, or
-
have high blood pressure.
You may not be able to
take Relafen, or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above.
Relafen is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether it will
be harmful to an unborn baby. Relafen should not be taken
late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar
drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take Relafen
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is
not known whether Relafen passes into breast milk Do not
take this medicine without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Relafen Take Relafen exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Taking Relafen with
food, milk, or an antacid may lessen stomach upset.
Remaining upright (sitting or standing) for 15 to 30 minutes
after each dose may prevent irritation of the esophagus
(throat).
Store Relafen at room temperature away
from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose
and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Relafen overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach
pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears,
blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling,
little or no urine production, and slow breathing.
Avoid while taking Relafen Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Relafen may
increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to
the sun is unavoidable.
If you drink more than three
alcoholic beverages a day, Relafen may increase the risk
of stomach bleeding.
Possible side effects of Relafen If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Relafen and seek medical treatment
or call your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction
(difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of
the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- muscle cramps,
numbness, or tingling;
- ulcers (open sores) in the
mouth;
- rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
-
seizures;
- black, bloody or tarry stools
-
blood in the urine or vomit;
- decreased hearing
or ringing in the ears
- jaundice (yellowing of the
skin or eyes); or
- abdominal cramping, indigestion,
or heartburn.
Other, less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to take Relafen and talk
to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness or headache;
- nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or constipation;
- depression;
- fatigue or weakness;
-
dry mouth; or
- irregular menstrual periods.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Relafen Before taking Relafen, tell your doctor if you are
taking any of the following drugs:
- another nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,
Rufen, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail),
naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren,
Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen
(Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), oxaprozin
(Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin
(Tolectin), celecoxib (Celebrex), valdecoxib (Bextra), or
rofecoxib (Vioxx);
- aspirin or another salicylate
(forms of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline
salicylate, and magnesium salicylate (watch the aspirin
content of other over-the-counter products such as cough,
cold, and allergy medicines);
- a diuretic (water
pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, others),
chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone),
bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide
(Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
- an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril
(Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil,
Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril
(Altace), and others;
- a beta-blockers such as acebutolol
(Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal),
atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), and others;
-
an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- a
steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone) or methylprednisolone
(Medrol);
- an oral anti-diabetic drug such as glipizide
(Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta);
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); or
- cyclosporine
(Sandimmune, Neoral).
You may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking
any of the medications listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Relafen.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
