Highlights for nabumetone

  1. Nabumetone oral tablet is only available as a generic drug.
  2. Nabumetone only comes as a tablet you take by mouth.
  3. Nabumetone oral tablet is used to help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Nabumetone is a prescription drug. It comes only as an oral tablet.

Nabumetone oral tablet is only available as a generic drug.

Why it’s used

Nabumetone is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling in people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

How it works

Nabumetone belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

NSAIDs block the production of chemicals in your body that cause inflammation and pain.

NSAIDs help to manage the symptoms of pain, stiffness, inflammation, and swelling caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Nabumetone oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness. However, it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with nabumetone include:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • stomach pain
  • constipation
  • swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles
  • mild rash
  • ringing in the ears
  • sensitivity to the sun

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Heart attack. Symptoms can include:
    • severe chest pain
    • nausea
    • trouble breathing
  • Ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Symptoms can include:
    • severe stomach pain
  • Stroke. Symptoms can include:
    • trouble speaking or thinking
    • weakness on one side of the body
    • blurred vision
  • Blood clot. Symptoms can include:
    • cramping or pain in legs
    • coughing
    • trouble breathing
  • Heart failure or kidney toxicity. Symptoms can include:
    • weakness
    • coughing
    • swelling
    • unusual weight gain
  • Liver toxicity. Symptoms can include:
    • abdominal cramping or pain
    • yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
  • Severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
    • trouble breathing
    • sudden or severe rash
  • High blood pressure
  • Skin reactions. Symptoms can include:
    • red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
    • red or irritated eyes
    • sores in your mouth, nose, throat, or eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.

Nabumetone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with nabumetone are listed below.

Drugs you should not use with nabumetone

Do not take these drugs with nabumetone. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in your body. Examples of these drugs include:

  • Ketorolac, an anti-inflammatory drug. Using ketorolac with nabumetone increases your risk for bleeding and ulcers.
  • Omacetaxine, a chemotherapy drug. Using omacetaxine with nabumetone can increase your risk for bleeding and ulcers.

Interactions that increase your risk for side effects

  • Increased side effects from both drugs: Taking nabumetone with certain medications raises your risk for side effects from both drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Warfarin, aspirin, and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib. Increased side effects can include increased risk of ulcers and bleeding. These drugs should be used cautiously or not at all with nabumetone.
  • Increased side effects from other drugs: Taking nabumetone with certain medications raises your risk for side effects from these drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Methotrexate. Increased side effects of methotrexate can include reduction in your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, and a decrease in your body’s ability to fight infections.
    • Lithium. Increased side effects of lithium can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremor, lack of coordination, blurred vision, and ringing in your ears.

Interactions that can make your drugs less effective

  • When other drugs are less effective: When certain drugs are used with nabumetone, they may not work as well. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril. If you need to take any of these drugs with nabumetone, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure closely.
    • Diuretics (water pills) such as thiazide diuretics (including chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide) and furosemide. If you need to take any of these drugs with nabumetone, your doctor may monitor your fluid levels, blood pressure, and kidney function closely.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Nabumetone oral tablet comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

People who are allergic to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not take this drug. If you’re not certain about your allergy risk, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding: Nabumetone may increase risk of ulcers or bleeding from the stomach or intestines. The drug should be used with extreme caution in people with a history of ulcers or bleeding. Risk factors of getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with:

  • cigarette smoking
  • drinking alcohol
  • older adults
  • past history of stomach ulcers, or stomach or intestinal bleeding with the use of NSAIDs.

For people with heart disease: Nabumetone can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. It should be used with caution in people with a history of heart disease or those at risk for heart disease. Risk factors for heart disease include:

  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol
  • diabetes
  • cigarette smoking
  • family history of heart disease
  • obesity
  • being a postmenopausal woman. The risk of heart disease increases after menopause.

For people with heart failure: Nabumetone can increase fluid retention and worsen heart failure.

For people with asthma: People with asthma sometimes have an increased risk of allergic reactions to nabumetone.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Nabumetone is a pregnancy category C drug. That means two things:

  1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
  2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans.

Nabumetone should not be used during pregnancy, especially in late stage pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and need treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, talk with your healthcare professional about your treatment options.

Women who are breastfeeding: It’s not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Talk with your doctor about whether you should continue breastfeeding while taking this drug.

For seniors: If you’re an older adult, you may be more likely to have stomach upset or bleeding.

This dosage information is for nabumetone oral tablet. All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • the severity of your condition
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose
  • your weight

Forms and strengths

Generic: Nabumetone

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strength: 500 mg, 750 mg, 1,000 mg

Dosage for osteoarthritis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

  • Typical starting dosage: 1,000 mg per day. It may be taken once per day or in two divided doses.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dosage to 1,500–2,000 mg per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 2,000 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication has not been studied in children. It should not be used in children under the age of 18 years.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

  • Typical starting dosage: 1,000 mg per day. It may be taken once a day or in two divided doses.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dosage to 1,500–2,000 mg per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 2,000 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication has not been studied in children. It should not be used in children under the age of 18 years.

Special dosage considerations

People with kidney disease generally should not use this drug. Kidney disease can affect the way this drug is processed in the body. Talk with your doctor about your treatment with nabumetone if you have kidney disease.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Nabumetone oral tablet comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: You risk:

  • increasing inflammation and swelling in your joints
  • decreasing ability to control your pain

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Not taking nabumetone every day, skipping days, or taking doses at different times of day may increase your risk for inflammation or decrease control of your pain.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

  • drowsiness
  • stomach pain
  • trouble breathing
  • nausea
  • vomiting

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, just take the next dose as scheduled. Don’t double your dose.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your arthritis pain and swelling should be controlled.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes nabumetone oral tablet for you.

General

  • You can take this drug with or without food. However, taking it with food may help decrease nausea.
  • The tablet is film coated and should not be cut, crushed, or chewed.

Storage

  • Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
  • Keep this drug away from light.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable.You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They won’t damage your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.