Brand name(s): Clinoril

Generic Name: Sulindac

Important warning about taking NSAIDs medication

Sulindac is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Sulindac also is used to treat pain in the shoulder caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint) and tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone). It is also used to relieve gouty arthritis (attacks of severe joint pain and swelling caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints). Sulindac is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

Sulindac is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness from arthritis. It is also used to treat arthritis of the spine, gouty arthritis, and shoulder bursitis/tendonitis. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Sulindac may also be used to decrease the number of growths found in the intestines (colon polyps) in persons with a family history of this condition.

How to use Sulindac Oral

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using sulindac and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth usually twice daily with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters), unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug. Take this medication with food to decrease stomach upset.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than recommended because this may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Also, the manufacturer recommends that you do not take more than 400 milligrams per day because this may increase your risk of liver problems.

In certain conditions (e.g., arthritis), it may take 1-2 weeks before the full benefits take effect when this drug is taken regularly.

If you are taking this drug on an "as needed" basis (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the medicine may not work as well.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking sulindac,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulindac, aspirin or or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik);angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); oral medications for diabetes; methotrexate (Rheumatrex); and probenecid (Benemid).
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose); kidney stones; swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs;or liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sulindac, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sulindac.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Sulindac may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• nervousness
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• ringing in the ears

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more sulindac until you speak to your doctor:

• unexplained weight gain
• fever
• chills
• cough
• sweating
• flushing
• muscle or joint pain
• chest pain
• blisters
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• pale skin
• fast hearbeat
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination
• blurred vision or other problems with sight

Sulindac may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Sulindac is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness from arthritis. It is also used to treat arthritis of the spine, gouty arthritis, and shoulder bursitis/tendonitis. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Sulindac may also be used to decrease the number of growths found in the intestines (colon polyps) in persons with a family history of this condition.

How to use Sulindac Oral

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using sulindac and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth usually twice daily with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters), unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug. Take this medication with food to decrease stomach upset.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than recommended because this may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Also, the manufacturer recommends that you do not take more than 400 milligrams per day because this may increase your risk of liver problems.

In certain conditions (e.g., arthritis), it may take 1-2 weeks before the full benefits take effect when this drug is taken regularly.

If you are taking this drug on an "as needed" basis (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the medicine may not work as well.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Sulindac Oral Interactions