Brand Names: Dolobid

Generic Name: diflunisal (Pronunciation: dye FLOO ni sal)

• What is diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• What are the possible side effects of diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• What is the most important information I should know about diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• How should I take diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Dolobid)?
• What happens if I overdose (Dolobid)?
• What should I avoid while taking diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• What other drugs will affect diflunisal (Dolobid)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is diflunisal (Dolobid)?

Diflunisal is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Diflunisal is used to reduce mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by many conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Diflunisal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Diflunisal 250 mg-END

oblong, orange, imprinted with WPPh, 195

Diflunisal 500 mg-END

oblong, orange, imprinted with 196, WPPh

Diflunisal 500 mg-TEV

oblong, blue, imprinted with 755/93

Dolobid 500 mg

oblong, orange, imprinted with DOLOBID, MSD697

What are the possible side effects of diflunisal (Dolobid)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking diflunisal and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
• fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
• bloating, gas;
• dizziness, headache, tired feeling;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• skin itching or rash;
• blurred vision; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about diflunisal (Dolobid)?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use diflunisal. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking diflunisal. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take this medication without your doctor's advice.