Sulindac Pronunciation: sul IN dak
Brand Name: Clinoril
Important Information
Description
Who should not take it?
How should I take it?
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I overdose?
What should I avoid while taking it?
What are the side effects?
What other drugs will affect it?
Where can I get more information?
Brand Names
What is the most important information I should know about sulindac?
• Take sulindac with food, milk or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Remain upright (sitting or standing) for 15 to 30 minutes after each dose to prevent irritation of your esophagus (throat).
• Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in your vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to your gastrointestinal tract.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, sulindac may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
What is sulindac?
• Sulindac is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sulindac works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
• Sulindac is used to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, tendinitis and bursitis.
• Sulindac may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take sulindac?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
· have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,
· drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
· have liver or kidney disease,
· have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
· have congestive heart failure,
· have fluid retention,
· have heart disease, or
· have high blood pressure.
• You may not be able to take sulindac, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• It is not known whether sulindac will harm an unborn baby. Sulindac should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take sulindac without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is not known whether sulindac passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take sulindac?
• Take sulindac exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Take sulindac with food, milk, or an antacid to reduce stomach upset.
• To prevent irritation of your esophagus (throat), do not lie down for 15 to 30 minutes after taking sulindac.
• Store sulindac at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a sulindac overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking sulindac?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sulindac may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, sulindac may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
What are the possible side effects of sulindac?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking sulindac and seek medical treatment or call your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;
· ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;
· rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
· seizures;
· black, bloody, or tarry stools;
· blood in your urine or vomit;
· decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
· jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
· abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take sulindac and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness or headache;
· nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or constipation;
· depression;
· fatigue or weakness;
· dry mouth;
· irregular menstrual periods.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect sulindac?
• Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may increase the effects of sulindac and cause dangerous side effects. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
· other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox);
· other commonly used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
· aspirin and other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate (watch the aspirin content of other over-the-counter products such as cough, cold, and allergy medicines);
· diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
· anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin);
· steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone);
· alcohol;
· oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta);
· lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);
· cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); or
· bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol.
• Sulindac can also decrease the effects of other drugs, such as
· angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions, such as benazepril (Lotensin) and captopril (Capoten);
· other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace); and
· beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions, such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), and carteolol (Cartrol).
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sulindac. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about sulindac written for health professionals that you may read.
From WebMD