Lodine SR (etodolac)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Disturbances of the gut such as indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence).
- Inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis).
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Visual disturbances.
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch.
- Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity).
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia).
- Drowsiness.
- Confusion.
- Depression.
- Retention of water in the body tissues (fluid retention), resulting in swelling (oedema).
- Sensation of ringing, or other noise in the ears (tinnitus).
- Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea).
- Ulceration or bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
- Allergic reactions such as severe skin rashes, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema) or narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm).
- Kidney, liver or blood disorders.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before taking this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Etodolac should not be used in combination with painkilling doses of aspirin or any other NSAID taken by mouth, eg ibuprofen, as this increases the risk of side effects on the stomach and intestines. Selective inhibitors of COX-2 such as celecoxib or etoricoxib should also be avoided for the same reason.

There may be an increased risk of ulceration or bleeding from the gut if etodolac is taken with corticosteroids such as prednisolone.

There may also be an increased risk of bleeding from the gut if etodolac is taken with the following medicines:

- anti-blood-clotting (anticoagulant) medicines such as warfarin
- anti-platelet medicines to reduce the risk of blood clots or 'thin the blood', eg low-dose aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole
- SSRI antidepressants, eg fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram
- venlafaxine.

Etodolac may enhance the effect of blood-thinning or anti-clotting medicines (anticoagulants) such as warfarin. As this may increase the risk of bleeding, people taking etodolac with an anticoagulant should be closely monitored by their doctor. The dose of anticoagulant may need reducing.

There may be an increased risk of side effects on the kidneys if etodolac is used with any of the following medicines:

- ACE inhibitors, eg enalapril
- angiotensin II receptor antagonists, eg losartan
- ciclosporin
- diuretics, eg furosemide
- tacrolimus.

Etodolac may oppose the blood pressure lowering effects of certain medicines to treat high blood pressure, including the following:

- ACE inhibitors such as captopril
- angiotensin II receptor antagonists, eg losartan
- beta-blockers such as propranolol
- diuretics such as furosemide.

Etodolac may reduce the removal of the following medicines from the body and so may increase the blood levels and risk of side effects of these medicines. People using etodolac with any of these should be closely monitored by their doctor:

- digoxin
- lithium
- methotrexate.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Eccoxolac

Etopan XL

Etodolac modified release tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved