Uses
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.
Side Effects Of Sulindac
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 WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more sulindac until you speak to your doctor:
- unexplained weight gain
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the abdomen, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- fever
- chills
- cough
- sweating
- flushing
- muscle or joint pain
- chest pain
- blisters
- rash
- itching
- hives
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, or hands
- difficulty swallowing
- hoarseness
- pale skin
- fast heartbeat
- 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.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking sulindac:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulindac, aspirin, or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
- 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 WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as candesartan (Atacand , in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Twynsta), valsartan (in Exforge HCT); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); medications by mouth for diabetes; diuretics (‘water pills’); lithium (Lithobid); methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); and probenecid (Probalan).
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); heart failure; kidney stones; swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking sulindac, call your doctor.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking sulindac if you are 75 years of age or older. Do not take this medication for a longer period of time or at a higher dose than recommended by your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sulindac.
Dosage Of Sulindac
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.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
