Tolmetin
About Tolmetin
Tolmetin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis. It works by reducing substances in the body that contribute to pain and inflammation. This can make movement more comfortable and help you carry out daily activities more easily.
Take Tolmetin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Tolmetin is usually taken several times a day. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking each dose with or without food. Taking it with food or milk may help if it causes stomach upset, although food can reduce or delay absorption.
Common side effects include stomach upset, nausea, indigestion, headache, and dizziness. Consult your doctor right away if you develop black or bloody stools, vomit blood, have severe stomach pain, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Before starting Tolmetin, tell your doctor if you have stomach ulcers or bleeding, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, asthma, or a previous reaction to aspirin or another NSAID. Tolmetin must not be used to treat pain around the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, a type of heart bypass operation.
Tolmetin can interact with medicines such as blood thinners, other NSAIDs, lithium, water tablets, and some medicines used for high blood pressure. Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take. NSAIDs can also affect kidney function, and people with kidney problems may need closer monitoring or a different treatment. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your doctor before using Tolmetin.
Uses of Tolmetin
Medicinal Benefits
Tolmetin helps control pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, which can make everyday movement and activities more comfortable.
- Improved joint movement: Reducing pain and swelling can make it easier to move affected joints.
- Reduced stiffness: Helps ease stiffness, including morning stiffness associated with inflammatory arthritis.
- Ongoing symptom control: Regular treatment as prescribed can help control persistent arthritis pain and inflammation.
Directions for Use
- Take Tolmetin with or without food or as advised by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication, to ensure the safety.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Tolmetin
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Upset stomach, nausea, or indigestion
- Heartburn or gas
- Dizziness or headache
- Feeling tired or sleepy
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or sudden weakness on one side of the body
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin reaction
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes or dark urine
- Reduced urination, swelling of the feet or ankles, or sudden unexplained weight gain
Drug Warnings
- Stomach bleeding: Consult your doctor right away if you develop black or bloody stools, vomit blood, or have severe or persistent stomach pain.
- Heart or stroke warning signs: Seek immediate medical care for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body, or slurred speech.
- Kidney problems: Consult your doctor if you develop reduced urination, swelling of your feet or ankles, or sudden unexplained weight gain.
- Severe allergic or skin reaction: Seek immediate medical care if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, or a severe rash with blistering or peeling.
- Heart bypass surgery: Do not use Tolmetin to treat pain immediately before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Blood pressure monitoring: Your doctor may check your blood pressure because NSAIDs can cause or worsen high blood pressure.
- Avoid combining NSAIDs: Do not take ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin for pain, or another NSAID with Tolmetin unless your doctor recommends it.
- Before procedures: Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you take Tolmetin before having a medical or dental procedure.
Drug Interactions
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines (e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel): Taking these with Tolmetin can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Other NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen): Combining NSAIDs increases the risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding, and kidney problems.
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs (e.g. enalapril, lisinopril, losartan): Tolmetin may reduce their blood pressure-lowering effect and increase the risk of kidney problems.
- Diuretics or water tablets (e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide): Tolmetin may reduce their effect and increase the risk of kidney problems.
- Lithium: Tolmetin may increase lithium levels in the blood and increase the risk of lithium toxicity.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConsuming alcohol along with Tolmetin is not advisable.
Pregnancy
cautionTolmetin should not be used when pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Tolmetin.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the medicine, taking into account the importance of the medicine to the mother.
Driving
cautionTolmetin may cause dizziness. So, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Tolmetin.
Liver
cautionTolmetin should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Tolmetin. So, do not take Tolmetin unless instructed by the doctor if you have a liver impairment/disorder history.
Kidney
cautionTolmetin should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Dosage adjustments may be necessary for patients with severe renal impairment. So, do not take Tolmetin unless instructed by the doctor if you have a kidney impairment/disorder history.
Children
cautionTolmetin can be used in children two years and older to treat Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay physically active: Gentle activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling can help maintain joint movement and muscle strength.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Reducing excess weight can decrease pressure on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
- Protect your stomach: Avoid excessive alcohol because it can increase the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding while taking an NSAID.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough fluids is particularly important during illness, vomiting, or diarrhoea because dehydration can increase the risk of kidney problems with NSAIDs.
- Use heat or cold when appropriate: Gentle heat may ease stiffness, while a cold pack may help reduce pain or swelling.
Special Advise
Inform your doctor before taking the Tolmetin if you have a history of a heart attack, bypass surgery or peripheral arterial disease.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the common type of arthritis in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones erodes due to wear and tear over time. Common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune cells attack the joints and cause bone erosion, leading to severe pain and swelling. It may lead to joint deformity if left untreated.
FAQs
Tolmetin is used to treat pain, swelling and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Besides this, it can also be used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children two years of age and older.
Tolmetin contains ‘Tolmetin’, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is a COX-2 inhibitor. COX-2 enzyme produces prostaglandins that cause pain, swelling and inflammation.
Tolmetin should not be taken before or after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG; a form of cardiac surgery).
Tolmetin is a pain reliever that helps in the relief of pain and inflammation associated with joint disorders. However, taking it without the advice of a doctor is not advised.
Tolmetin is not recommended for the longer term, especially in higher doses, as it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Inform your doctor before taking the Tolmetin if you are going to take any immunizations/vaccinations. Your doctor will decide.
No, Tolmetin is not a narcotic drug. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by various conditions.
The common side of Tolmetin in some individuals may include diarrhea, constipation, gas, weight gain or loss, headache, depression, skin irritation, ringing in the ears, ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Follow your doctor's or product label's instructions about taking Tolmetin with meals. Food may reduce or delay absorption, although taking it with food or milk may help if you experience stomach upset. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what is appropriate for your prescribed product.
Tolmetin is an older NSAID and is used less commonly today than some newer options. However, it can still be effective for certain people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may choose it based on your symptoms, previous response to other medicines, side-effect risks, other health conditions, and available treatment options.
Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding with NSAIDs. Ask your doctor whether you should avoid alcohol while taking Tolmetin.
NSAIDs can cause problems during pregnancy, particularly later in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy before taking Tolmetin.
Yes. NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and may increase blood pressure or worsen existing high blood pressure. Your doctor may monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
Take the missed dose when you remember unless your next dose is due soon. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together.
Do not take other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen with Tolmetin unless your doctor recommends it. Combining them can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and kidney problems.
Seek immediate medical care for symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or slurred speech, severe allergic reactions, black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or a severe blistering or peeling skin reaction.
