Diflunisal
Generic Name: diflunisal (dye-FLOO-ni-sal)
Brand Name: Dolobid
Brand Name: Dolobid
Indication
Diflunisal is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It may
cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart and blood
vessel problems (eg, heart attack, stroke). The risk may be greater if
you already have heart problems or if you take diflunisal for a long
time. Do not use diflunisal right before or after bypass heart surgery.
Diflunisal may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs.
Diflunisal may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs.
Use For
Treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,
or mild to moderate pain. It may also be used for other conditions as
determined by your doctor.
Diflunisal is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may
block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation.
NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat
the disease that causes those symptoms.
Do Not Use If
- you are allergic to any ingredient in diflunisal
- you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin or an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib)
- you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery
- you are also taking another NSAID (eg, ibuprofen)
- you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy
Before Using
Some medical conditions may interact with diflunisal. Tell your
doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if
any of the following apply to you:- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal product, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers)
- if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation
- if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders, bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or if you are at risk for any of these diseases
- if you have chickenpox, the flu, poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol, or you have a history of alcohol abuse
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), heparin, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) because risk of stomach bleeding may be increased
- Antacids, other NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), or probenecid because they may increase the risk of diflunisal's side effects
- Acetaminophen, cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), or sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by diflunisal
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, losartan), or diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by diflunisal
Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Pain
Initial: 1000 mg orally one time.Maintenance: 500 mg orally every 12 hours. Some patients may require 500 mg every 8 hours.
Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis
250 to 500 mg orally twice a day.The dosage may be increased or decreased according to patient response. Maintenance doses higher than 1500 mg/day are not recommended
Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis
250 to 500 mg orally twice a day.The dosage may be increased or decreased according to patient response. Maintenance doses higher than 1500 mg/day are not recommended
Side Effect
In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by diflunisal. In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking diflunisal:
More common
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Back or leg pains
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred or loss of vision
- burning feeling in chest or stomach
- burning while urinating
- clay-colored stools
- constipation
- cough or hoarseness
- cracks in the skin
- dark-colored urine
- diarrhea
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty swallowing
- disturbed color perception
- dizziness
- double vision
- facial swelling
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of warmth
- fever with or without chills
- flu-like symptoms
- general body swelling
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
- halos around lights
- headache
- hives
- increased blood pressure
- increased thirst
- indigestion
- itching
- joint or muscle pain
- large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
- light-colored stools
- liver function abnormalities
- loss of appetite
- loss of heat from the body
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches, pains, or weakness
- nausea or vomiting
- night blindness
- noisy breathing
- nosebleeds
- overbright appearance of lights
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
- red, irritated eyes
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, swollen skin
- scaly skin
- severe or continuing stomach pain
- shortness of breath
- skin rash
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
- sore throat
- stomach upset
- swelling of face, fingers, feet or lower legs
- swollen lymph nodes
- tenderness in stomach area
- tightness in chest
- troubled breathing
- tunnel vision
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- upper right abdominal pain
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- weight gain
- wheezing
- yellow eyes or skin
- Change in consciousness
- confusion about identity, place, and time
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
- decreased awareness or responsiveness
- deep or fast breathing with dizziness
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- hearing loss
- loss of consciousness
- numbness of feet, hands, and around mouth
- severe sleepiness
- sweating
More common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- heartburn
- indigestion
- stomach discomfort or upset
- Bloated, full feeling
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- discouragement
- dry mucous membranes
- excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling sad or empty
- increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
- irritability
- lack or loss of strength
- lightheadedness
- loss of interest or pleasure
- mood or mental changes
- nervousness
- passing gas
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- sensation of spinning
- severe sunburn
- sleeplessness
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- tiredness
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
- weight loss