Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: tolmetin

BRAND NAME: Tolectin

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tolmetin is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Since the response to different NSAIDs varies from patient to patient, it is not unusual for a doctor to try different NSAIDs for any given condition.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PREPARATIONS: tablets: 200mg, 600mg; capsule: 400mg

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, sealed container, avoid moisture.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Tolmetin is used for the treatment of inflammation and pain that results from rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, and osteoarthritis.

DOSING: Should be taken with food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tolmetin should be avoided by patients with a history of asthma exacerbation, hives, or other allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs. Rare but severe allergic reactions have been reported in such individuals. It also should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or poor kidney function, since this medication can aggravate both conditions. Tolmetin is generally used with caution in patients taking blood thinning medications (anticoagulants), such as warfarin (Coumadin), because of an increased risk of bleeding. Patients taking lithium can develop toxic blood lithium levels. Patients taking cyclosporine (Sandimmune) can develop kidney toxicity.

Use in children under 2 years of age has not been adequately studied. Tolmetin is not habit forming. Tolmetin should be discontinued prior to elective surgery because of a mild interference with clotting that is characteristic of this group of medicines. Tolmetin is best discontinued at least two days in advance of the procedure.

Persons who have more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day are at increased risk of developing stomach ulcers when taking tolmetin or other NSAIDs.

PREGNANCY: Tolmetin is generally avoided during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: Tolmetin is generally avoided in nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: Most patients benefit from tolmetin and other NSAIDs with few side effects. However, serious side effects can occur, and generally tend to be dose related. Therefore, it is advisable to use the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. The most common side effects of tolmetin involve the gastrointestinal system. It can cause ulcerations, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of internal bleeding. Rash, kidney impairment, ringing in the ears, and lightheadedness can also occur.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997

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