b. Ibuprofen (Motrin). Ibuprofen is used to treat the symptoms of arthritis.
Ibuprofen relieves swelling, joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Some patients may
have to take the drug for one to two weeks before they begin to feel its full effects. Side
effects associated with the use of this agent include skin rashes, itching of skin, ringing
or buzzing in the ears, dizziness, or a bloated feeling. Since the drug can cause some
stomach irritation, the patient should not take alcohol or aspirin regularly while taking
this drug unless the patient's physician has directed otherwise. Furthermore, since the
drug does cause dizziness in some patients, the patient should be instructed not to
drive or operate hazardous machinery until he or she has been taking the drug and has
determined it affects on alertness.
c. Fenoprofen (Nalfon). Fenoprofen is used to treat the symptoms of arthritis.
Fenoprofen relieves swelling, joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Side effects
associated with the use of this drug include ringing or buzzing in the ears, skin rash,
black tarry stools, constipation, and drowsiness. Since the drug can cause some
stomach irritation, the patient should not take alcohol or aspirin regularly while taking
this drug unless the patient's physician directs otherwise. Furthermore, since the drug
does cause drowsiness in some patients, the patient should be instructed not to drive or
operate hazardous machinery until he or she has been taking the drug and has
determined its effects on alertness.
d. Tolmetin (Tolectin). Tolmetin is used to treat the symptoms of arthritis.
The information for this drug is the same as for fenoprofen (Nalfon)--see 4-6d above.
e. Naproxen (Naprosyn). Naproxen is used to treat the symptoms of arthritis.
Naproxen relieves swelling, joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Side effects
associated with this agent include black tarry stools, blurred vision, skin rash, ringing or
buzzing in the ears, and dizziness. Since this drug can cause some stomach irritation,
the patient should not take alcohol or aspirin regularly while taking this drug unless the
patient's physician directs otherwise. The drug may be taken with food, antacids, or
milk to reduce stomach irritation.
f. Sulindac (Clinoril). This drug is used to treat arthritis. This drug should be
given with food twice daily; otherwise, the information for this drug is the same as is
listed under naproxen (Naprosyn).
g. Piroxicam (Feldene). This drug is a unique agent because it has a 45-hour
half-life. This long half-life permits once daily dosing. Piroxicam is used in the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis. The
average daily dose is 20 mg. Gastrointestinal side effects are encountered in
approximately 20 percent of patients.
h. Celecoxib (Celebrex). This drug is unique because it may cause less risk
of gastrointestinal side effects than other anti-inflammatory agents. Celecoxib is used in
the treatment of rheumatoid and osteo arthritis.
MD0805
4-5