Etodolac - Oral

Etodolac helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to provide relief in pain associated with joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles) and osteoarthritis (a joint disorder where the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness).

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Etodolac exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal.

Etodolac is available as a conventional tablet or capsule and extended-release tablet.

If you are taking the conventional tablet or capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet (usually labelled as "XL" or "SR"), swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.

You may stop taking this medicine when you have no more pain and inflammation.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Do not take Etodolac if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of asthma, hives or other allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
• active bleeding in the stomach or intestine
• history of 2 or more episodes of peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe)
• history of bleeding or perforation (hole or tear in the wall) of the stomach or intestine related to previous NSAID therapy
• severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)

as Etodolac may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while being treated with Etodolac, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• heart problems e.g. recent heart attack, mild to moderate heart failure
• high blood pressure
• problems in the blood vessels or blood circulation
• disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
• swelling of legs, ankles or feet
• high lipid (fat) level in the blood
• diabetes
• blood clotting problems
• history of stomach or bowel disease e.g. ulcerative colitis (a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the linings of the large intestine and rectum), Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that usually affects the small intestine and colon)
• current or history of asthma
• systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Etodolac to a child, elderly, or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine tests for ketones or bilirubin), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.

For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, complete blood count) to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.

Etodolac may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or abnormal vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, stomach wind, heartburn (burning pain in your chest caused by food or acid from your stomach that backs up into your mouth), and ringing in the ears.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• signs and symptoms of heart attack e.g. chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness
• weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
• pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• rashes, fever, tender or enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the face
• pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac
• medicines for high blood pressure
• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin
• certain medicines to treat depression
• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
• anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
• methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
• lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
• digoxin (medicine for heart failure)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Etodolac.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.