Etodolac

Pronunciation: e-TOE-doe-lak
Generic Name: Etodolac
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Etodolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart and blood vessel problems (eg, heart attack, stroke). The risk may be greater if you already have heart problems or if you take Etodolac for a long time. Do not use Etodolac right before or after bypass heart surgery.

Etodolac may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs.

Etodolac is used for:

Treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or mild to moderate pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Etodolac is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms.

Do NOT use Etodolac if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Etodolac


• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin or an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib)


• you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery


• you are taking phenylbutazone


• you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Etodolac:

Some medical conditions may interact with Etodolac. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal product, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers)


• if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, lupus, asthma, or growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation


• if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders, bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or if you are at risk for any of these diseases


• if you have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol, or you have a history of alcohol abuse

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Etodolac. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), heparin, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) because the risk of stomach bleeding may be increased


• Phenylbutazone or probenecid because they may increase the risk of Etodolac's side effects


• Cyclosporine, digoxin, lithium, methotrexate, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), or sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Etodolac


• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril) or diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Etodolac

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Etodolac may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Etodolac:

Use Etodolac as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Etodolac comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Etodolac refilled.


• Take Etodolac by mouth with or without food. It may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not lower the risk of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcers). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent stomach upset.


• Take Etodolac with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL) as directed by your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Etodolac and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of Etodolac.

Important safety information:

• Etodolac may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Etodolac with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Etodolac. Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Etodolac with food will NOT reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor or emergency room at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain; black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds; or unusual weight gain or swelling.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Etodolac is an NSAID. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has an NSAID in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Do not take aspirin while you are using Etodolac unless your doctor tells you to.


• Etodolac may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know that you take Etodolac.


• Lab tests, including kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be done to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Etodolac with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, including stomach bleeding and kidney problems.


• Etodolac should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Etodolac may cause harm to the fetus. Do not take it during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Etodolac while you are pregnant. It is not known if Etodolac is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Etodolac.

Possible side effects of Etodolac:

All medicines can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach upset; stuffy nose; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Etodolac side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased urination; loss of consciousness; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness; severe nausea or stomach pain; slow or troubled breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Proper storage of Etodolac:

Store Etodolac at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Etodolac out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Etodolac, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Etodolac is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Etodolac. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Etodolac resources

• Etodolac Side Effects (in more detail)
• Etodolac Dosage
• Etodolac Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Etodolac Drug Interactions
• Etodolac Support Group
• 17 Reviews for Etodolac - Add your own review/rating

• Etodolac Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Etodolac Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Etodolac Monograph (AHFS DI)


• etodolac Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Lodine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Lodine Consumer Overview

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