Etodolac
Description
Etodolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used to reduce pain from various conditions. It provides effective relief from pain, stiffness, and swelling in different types of arthritis namely, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It works by preventing the release of certain chemical substances that cause pain and swelling in the body.
Common side effects of Etodolac are nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea. Do not use this medicine if you are previously allergic to it. Use it cautiously in individuals with liver and kidney problems.
You can take Etodolac with food, milk, or an antacid to avoid stomach irritation. For the ease of remembering, take it at around the same time every day. Etodolac does not cure arthritis, but relieves symptoms and makes you feel better as long as you continue to take it.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Etodolac
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Skin rash
- Excessive gas in stomach
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Nausea and vomiting
Uses of Etodolac
What is it prescribed for?
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Mild to moderate pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionEtodolac provides relief from pain within 2 to 4 hours of administration.
- Duration of effectThe duration of action for etodolac is 4 to 6 hours. You may have to take your next dose if your pain continues.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while treatment with Etodolac due to the risk of stomach bleeding.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported for Etodolac.
- Usage in pregnancy?Etodolac is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk of serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby. If required, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Etodolac is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. An alternate medicine may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If required, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.
Allergy
Avoid taking Etodolac if you are previously allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of serious allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Asthma
Patients with asthma may experience allergic reactions while taking Etodolac. Hence it is not recommended for use in patients with asthma, especially those who had experienced allergic reactions with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Etodolac may cause stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers. Therefore it is not recommended for use in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation disorders since it may worsen the condition.
Heart surgery
Do not use Etodolac for relieving pain after heart surgery.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Etodolac is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk of serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby. If required, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
Etodolac is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. An alternate medicine may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If required, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.
General warnings
Skin rash
Etodolac may cause serious skin allergies without any warnings. These events may be fatal in rare cases. Signs and symptoms like rashes, hives, fever, or other allergic symptoms should be reported to the doctor immediately. The treatment should be discontinued if these symptoms appear.
Elderly population
Etodolac should be used with caution in the elderly population due to an increase in the risk of undesired side effects. Close monitoring of kidney function and symptoms of bleeding is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Bleeding disorders
Etodolac may prolong the blood clotting time and therefore increase the risk of bleeding. Use it cautiously in patients with bleeding or clotting defects such as haemophilia, vitamin K deficiency, and hypoprothrombinemia.
Driving or operating machinery
Etodolac may cause sleepiness, blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. Hence it is advised not to drive vehicles and operate heavy machinery after taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Try not to skip the dose of etodolac. If it's time for the next dose, do not double the dose.
Injection: Etodolac is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Seek emergency medical attention or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
Injection: Since etodolac is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while treatment with Etodolac due to the risk of stomach bleeding.
Interaction with Medicine
Ramipril
Warfarin
Ketorolac
Prednisolone
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Long-term use of Etodolac may increase the risk of a heart attack in patients with pre-existing heart conditions or heart failure. It is not used for treating pain after coronary bypass surgery.
Impaired kidney function
Prolonged use of high doses of Etodolac may cause kidney problems, such as painful urination and protein or blood in the urine. Hence this medicine should be used cautiously in kidney impaired patients. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Impaired liver function
Patients with liver diseases should ask their pharmacist/doctor how Etodolac may affect their liver. Etodolac conversion to its active form may be reduced in patients with impaired liver function, which may lead to liver failure. A dosage reduction may be required in some patients.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Etodolac uses for relieving pain and swelling is safe and effective. It is available on prescription as a tablet, injection and extended-release tablet.
Oral forms: Take etodolac tablets and etodolac extended-release tablets and with or after food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at the same time every day.
Injection: Etodolac injection should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Etodolac stops the release of a chemical called prostaglandins, that increase pain and swelling. Thus, this medicine provides relief from your aches and makes you feel better.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
Schedule
Schedule H
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Drugs, H., 2021. Etodolac: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 18 January 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - ETODOLAC Tablet, Extended Release. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 18 January 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Etodolac. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 February 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 18 January 2021].
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Etodolac | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 February 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 26 Feb 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.