Tolmetin Pronunciation: tole MEH tin
Brand Names: Tolectin, Tolectin 600, Tolectin DS
Important Information
Description
Who should not take it?
How should I take it?
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I overdose?
What should I avoid while taking it?
What are the side effects?
What other drugs will affect it?
Where can I get more information?
Brand Names
What is the most important information I should know about tolmetin?
• Before taking tolmetin, tell your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines while taking tolmetin.
• Take tolmetin with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Contact your doctor if you develop bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in the vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
• Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, tolmetin may increase the risk of dangerous stomach bleeding.
What is tolmetin?
• Tolmetin is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Tolmetin works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
• Tolmetin is used to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Tolmetin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tolmetin?
• Before taking tolmetin, tell your doctor if you
·have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
·have an ulcer or bleeding in your 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 tolmetin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Tolmetin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether tolmetin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Tolmetin 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 tolmetin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Tolmetin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take tolmetin?
• Take tolmetin 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.
• Take tolmetin with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Store tolmetin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a tolmetin 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.
What should I avoid while taking tolmetin?
• Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation while taking tolmetin. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, tolmetin may increase the risk of dangerous stomach bleeding.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Tolmetin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Tolmetin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What are the possible side effects of tolmetin?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking tolmetin and seek medical treatment or contact 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 your 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 tolmetin 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 tolmetin?
• Before taking tolmetin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
·aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), diflunisal (Dolobid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate (Trilisate, Tricosal, others), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others);
·an over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen;
·a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), amiloride (Midamor), and others;
·an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such as benazepril (Lotensin, Lotensin HCT), captopril (Capoten, Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec, Vaseretic), fosinopril (Monopril, Monopril HCT), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, Prinzide, Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, Uniretic), quinapril (Accupril, Accuretic), or ramipril (Altace);
·a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), and others;
·a calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), and others;
·an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
·a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);
·an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase);
·probenecid (Benemid);
·lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); or
·bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol.
• You may not be able to take tolmetin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with tolmetin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about tolmetin written for health professionals that you may read.
From WebMD