Relafen vs. Lodine

• Are Relafen and Lodine the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Relafen?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lodine?
• What Is Relafen?
• What Is Lodine?
• What Drugs Interact with Relafen?
• What Drugs Interact with Lodine?
• How Should Relafen Be Taken?
• How Should Lodine Be Taken?

Relafen (nabumetone) and Lodine (etodolac) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

Lodine is also used to treat acute pain.

The brand names Relafen and Lodine are no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Relafen and Lodine that are similar include upset stomach, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, dizziness, headache, nervousness, skin itching or rash, blurred vision, and ringing in your ears.

Side effects of Lodine that are different from Relafen include vomiting, sore throat, and stuffy nose.

Both Relafen and Lodine may interact with alcohol, antidepressants, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or ACE inhibitors.

Relafen may also interact with heart or blood pressure medications.

Lodine may also interact with cyclosporine, digoxin, and phenylbutazone.

Common side effects of Relafen include:

• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• skin itching or rash,
• blurred vision, or
• ringing in your ears.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including Relafen) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract is another potentially serious side effect of Relafen.

Common side effects of Lodine include:

• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• upset stomach,
• stomach pain,
• heartburn,
• bloating,
• gas,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• sore throat,
• stuffy nose,
• skin itching,
• rash,
• blurred vision, and
• ringing in the ears.

Serious side effects of Lodine include:

• heart attack,
• stroke,
• coma,
• skin changes;
  • paleness,
  • blisters,
  • rash, and
  • hives,
• weight gain,
• swelling,
• shortness of breath,
• tachycardia,
• unusual bleeding (including GI bleeding),
• jaundice,
• stomach pain, and
• pain with urination,
• bloody urine,
• blurry vision, and
• back pain.

Relafen (nabumetone) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug used to treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. The brand name drug Relafen is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Lodine (etodolac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute pain. The brand name Lodine is no longer available in the U.S. Lodine is available as a generic.

Relafen may interact with antidepressants, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or ACE inhibitors.. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women, and Relafen should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Use during late pregnancy should be avoided because of the known effects of NSAIDs in the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus). It is not known whether Relafen is excreted in human milk; a decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the Relafen.

Patients with asthma that are aspirin-sensitive should avoid use of this Lodine. Lodine may reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors and increase lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) levels; use with aspirin or similar agents is not recommended. Caution is advised as Lodine may react with a number of other drugs so the prescribing physician will need a list of current medications. Lodine may interact with ACE inhibitors, aspirin or other NSAIDs, cyclosporine, digoxin, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), lithium, phenylbutazone, antidepressants, steroids, and blood thinners. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Lodine; taking Lodine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the fetus. Do not take Lodine during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. It is unknown if Lodine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

Lodine is available in capsules at strengths of 200 and 300 mg, and as tablets at strengths of 400 and 500 mg. Usual dosage is 200-400 mg every 6 to 8 hours, not to exceed 1000 mg.