Diflunisal (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING
People who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as diflunisal may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than people who do not take these medications. These events may happen without warning and may cause death. This risk may be higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke, if you smoke, and if you have or have ever had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Get emergency medical help right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in one part or side of the body, or slurred speech.

If you will be undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG; a type of heart surgery), you should not take diflunisal right before or right after the surgery.

NSAIDs such as diflunisal may cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine. These problems may develop at any time during treatment, may happen without warning symptoms, and may cause death. The risk may be higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time, are older in age, have poor health, or drink large amounts of alcohol while you are taking diflunisal. Tell your doctor if you take any of the following medications: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); or oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone). Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcers, bleeding in your stomach or intestines, or other bleeding disorders. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking diflunisal and call your doctor: stomach pain, heartburn, vomiting a substance that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds, blood in the stool, or black and tarry stools.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms carefully and will probably order certain tests to check your body's response to diflunisal. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling so that your doctor can prescribe the right amount of medication to treat your condition with the lowest risk of serious side effects.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with diflunisal and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/cder) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Why this medication is prescribed
Diflunisal is 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). Diflunisal is also used to relieve mild to moderate pain from other causes. Diflunisal 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 this medication should be used
Diflunisal comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken with water, milk, or food every 8-12 hours Take diflunisal at around the same times 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 diflunisal exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

It may take several days or longer for you to feel the full benefit of diflunisal. Continue to take diflunisal until your doctor tells you that you should stop taking the medication.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions
Before taking diflunisal:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diflunisal, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other medications.
 * 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: acetaminophen (Tylenol); 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); angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan); antacids; cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics ('water pills'); indomethacin (Indocin); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); and sulindac (Clinoril). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or 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 liver or kidney 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 diflunisal, call your doctor.
 * if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking diflunisal.
 * call your doctor if you think you may have a virus, such as chicken pox or the flu. Do not take diflunisal if you have a virus, and do not give diflunisal to a child who has a virus.

Special dietary instructions
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor side effects
Diflunisal may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * vomiting
 * diarrhea
 * constipation
 * gas
 * headache
 * dizziness
 * ringing in the ears
 * problems with vision

Severe side effects
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 diflunisal until you speak to your doctor.


 * upset stomach
 * excessive tiredness
 * unusual bleeding or bruising
 * itching
 * lack of energy
 * loss of appetite
 * pain in the upper right part of the stomach
 * yellowing of the skin or eyes
 * flu-like symptoms
 * rash
 * blisters
 * fever or chills
 * pale skin
 * fast heartbeat
 * easy bruising or bleeding
 * muscle or joint pain
 * unexplained weight gain
 * back pain
 * cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
 * difficult or painful urination
 * frequent urination, especially at night
 * swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
 * hoarseness
 * difficulty swallowing or breathing

Diflunisal may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it 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.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:


 * drowsiness
 * vomiting
 * upset stomach
 * diarrhea
 * decreased urination
 * fast breathing
 * fast heartbeat
 * sweating
 * ringing in the ears
 * confusion
 * coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

Other information
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking diflunisal.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

 * Dolobid®