Uses
What is etodolac used for?
Etodolac is commonly used to treat pain and inflammation caused by several conditions including juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Etodolac may also be used for other conditions, as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does etodolac work (mechanism of action)?
Etodolac works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.
How is etodolac supplied (dosage forms)?
Etodolac is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 400 mg oral tablets
- 500 mg oral tablets
- 200 mg oral capsules
- 300 mg oral capsules
- 400 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 500 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 600 mg extended-release oral tablets
How should I store etodolac?
Etodolac should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of etodolac?
The most common side effects of etodolac are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Upset stomach or stomach pain
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Gas or heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
There may be other side effects of etodolac that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of etodolac?
While less common, the most serious side effects of etodolac are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Heart Attack and Stroke. Etodolac can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is increased in people with existing heart disease and with longer use of etodolac and higher doses. Do not take etodolac if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
- Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
- Sudden weakness on one side of your body
- Sudden and severe headache
- Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
Severe Allergic Reactions. Etodolac can cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
- Dark-colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Severe Skin Reactions. Etodolac can cause severe skin reactions called exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) which can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop etodolac and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a severe skin reaction.
- Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
- Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
- Red, painful, watery eyes
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Areas of thickened skin
- Sores that are crusted over
Bleeding. Etodolac can increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you have a bleeding disorder or take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of bleeding including easy bruising or bleeding.
Stomach Bleeding. Etodolac can increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, or bleeding problems, take higher doses of etodolac or take it for longer than directed, have poor health, are age 60 or older, have liver disease, smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain other medicines such as oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Stop taking etodolac and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Vomit blood
- Black or tarry poop
- Stomach pain that does not go away
- Upset stomach
- Feel faint
Anemia. Etodolac may cause anemia, which is a condition that causes low levels of red blood cells. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.
- Unusual weakness or tiredness
- Cold hands and feet
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Etodolac may increase your blood pressure or worsen it if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.
If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. An increase in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.
- Sudden, severe headache
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or confusion
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea/vomiting
- Blurry or other changes to the vision
- Anxiety
- Buzzing in the ears
- Nosebleed
- Feeling of skipped heartbeats
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking etodolac. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Heart Failure. Etodolac may increase your risk for heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs (edema)
- Unusually fast weight gain
- Unusual tiredness
Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using etodolac. Stop taking etodolac and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.
- Reduced need to pee
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs (edema)
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use etodolac?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use etodolac products.
- Etodolac
- Lodine
- Lodine XL
- Aspirin or any other medicine known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific etodolac products they stock.
Heart Surgery. Do not take etodolac right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Taking etodolac during this time can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
What should I know about etodolac before using it?
Do not take etodolac unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share etodolac with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep etodolac out of the reach of children.
People aged 60 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of etodolac. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using etodolac?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if etodolac is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Heart problems such as heart failure or a recent heart attack
- Bleeding problems
- Kidney or liver problems
- Fluid retention (edema)
- Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach problems like heartburn
- High blood pressure
- Asthma
- Stroke
Other Medicines and Supplements. Etodolac may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using etodolac, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Pregnancy. Do not take etodolac at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy without talking to your healthcare provider. Taking etodolac during this time may cause harm to an unborn baby and complications during delivery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use etodolac while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if etodolac passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take etodolac while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does etodolac interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between etodolac and foods or drinks.
Drinking alcohol while taking etodolac increases your risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does etodolac interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using etodolac.
- A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
- An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
- An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart conditions
- Aspirin
- A blood thinner which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression
- Digoxin, which is a medicine used to treat heart failure or certain abnormal heart rhythms
- Methotrexate (Trexall and others)
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
- Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- Phenylbutazone, a medicine used to relieve pain
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much etodolac?
If you or someone else has taken too much etodolac, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of etodolac?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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