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Pronunciation |
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(TOLE
met
in) |
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Brand Names |
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Tolectin®; Tolectin®
DS |
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Foreign Brand
Names |
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Novo-Tolmetin (Canada) |
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Therapeutic
Categories |
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Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent (NSAID) |
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Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to aspirin, other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tolmetin, or any other part of the medicine. A
few examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, nabumetone, and
ketoprofen.
- If you are more than 24 weeks
pregnant.
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What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for the treatment of pain and inflammation,
rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; and juvenile forms of
arthritis.
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How does it work? |
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- Tolmetin reduces inflammation and pain. It blocks production and
release of chemicals that cause pain and
inflammation.
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How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
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What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. There should
be an interval of 8 hours between
doses.
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What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases
in stomach irritation.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased
shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may
increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists,
surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be
instructed to stop this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for
specific instructions about the time for stopping and restarting.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines,
other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng,
ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine,
especially aspirin. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you.
This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing;
cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not take in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy, dizzy, tired, or unable to think clearly. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Elevated blood pressure, ankle swelling.
- Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, diarrhea, gas.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black
color. Talk with healthcare
provider.
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What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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