Drug Status in USA : Approved Drug Status in Canada : Approved
pronunciation
pronounced as (ee toe doe' lak)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Etodolac tablets, capsules, and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Etodolac tablets and capsules are also used to relieve pain from other causes. Etodolac 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.
How should this medicine be used?
Etodolac comes as a tablet, a capsule, and an extended-release tablet to take by mouth. To treat arthritis, the tablet and capsule are usually taken two to three times a day and the extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day. To relieve pain from other causes, the tablets and capsules are usually taken every 6 to 8 hours. Take etodolac at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take etodolac exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
If you are taking etodolac for arthritis, your doctor may start you on a high dose and decrease your dose once your symptoms are controlled. It may take 1 to 2 weeks for you to feel the full benefit of this medication.
What are the precautions to be followed?
Before taking etodolac,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to etodolac, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in etodolac tablets, capsules, or extended-release tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of 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 IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and methotrexate (Rheumatrex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or kidney or liver 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 breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking etodolac, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking etodolac.
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Etodolac may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
constipation
diarrhea
gas or bloating
vomiting
headache
dizziness
ringing in the ears
runny nose
sore throat
blurred vision
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more etodolac until you speak to your doctor.
unexplained weight gain
swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
fever or chills
blisters
rash
itching
hives
hoarseness
difficulty breathing or swallowing
yellowing of the skin or eyes
excessive tiredness
unusual bleeding or bruising
lack of energy
loss of appetite
pain in the upper right part of the stomach
flu-like symptoms
pale skin
fast heartbeat
cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
difficult or painful urination
back pain
Etodolac may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Do not prepare doses of etodolac tablets in advance; keep the tablets in the original container until you are ready to take them. Store etodolac at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
Drug Category/Class
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
Musculo-Skeletal System
Acetic Acid Derivatives and Related Substances
Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products, Non-Steroids
Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products
Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
Acetic acid derivatives and related substances
Prescribed
For acute and long-term management of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as for the management of pain.