Etogesic

Before taking etodolac tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have a history of heart, liver, or kidney disease
• have a history of gastrointestinal (digestive) problems
• have hypertension, or high blood pressure
• have a history of asthma
• take ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril (Prinivil) and enalapril (Vasotec)
• take aspirin (Ecotrin) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• take diuretics, or water pills, such as thiazides (hydrochlorothiazide) and furosemide (Lasix)
• are allergic to etodolac
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Etodolac falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Etodolac is not recommended for women who are in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is possible this medication can harm or cause death to the unborn baby if taken during the third trimester.

• Etodolac comes in tablet and capsule forms.
• It is taken 2 or 3 times daily for arthritis and up to 4 times daily for other causes of pain.
• Once-daily extended-release tablets are also available.
• Take etodolac with water at around the same time(s) each day.

The recommended total daily dose of etodolac for acute pain is up to 1000 mg, given as 200-400 mg every 6 to 8 hours. Doses of etodolac greater than 1000 mg/day have not been adequately evaluated in well-controlled trials.

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The recommended starting dose of etodolac for the management of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis is: 300 mg two or three times daily, or 400 mg twice daily, or 500 mg twice daily. A lower dose of 600 mg/day may suffice for long-term administration. Doses above 1000 mg/day have not been adequately evaluated in well-controlled clinical trials.