Nimesulide - Oral

Nimesulide helps relieve pain and inflammation.

This medicine also helps relieve dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation).

Take Nimesulide 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.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

You may stop taking this medicine once your pain has been relieved.

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 Nimesulide if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of asthma, hives, or allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
• active stomach or bowel ulcer (sores in the lining of the stomach or intestines)
• history of any bleeding problems e.g. bleeding in the stomach, bowel or brain
• severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
• alcohol or substance use disorder
• fever or flu-like symptoms
• suspected dengue fever (a viral illness that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito and causes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, rash, bone or muscle pain, and sometimes bleeding)
• liver disease
• severe kidney disease

as Nimesulide may not be suitable for you.

Do not give this medicine to children below 12 years old unless instructed by the doctor.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Nimesulide, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Do not take Nimesulide with medicines that may cause or increase the risk of liver problems. You may discuss with your doctor or pharmacist about the medicines you should avoid.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe)
• 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)
• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• fluid retention (too much water builds up in the body, causing swelling in areas like the hands, legs, ankles or feet)
• mild to moderate kidney disease

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Nimesulide to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

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.

Nimesulide may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

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

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever

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:

• blood-thinning medicines
• furosemide (water pill or medicine for water retention)
• fenofibrate (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
• tolbutamide (medicine for diabetes)

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

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.