A total of 1552 patients were exposed to etodolac extended-release tablets in controlled clinical studies of at least 4 weeks in length and using daily doses in the range of 400 to 1200 mg. In the tabulations below, adverse event rates are generally categorized based on the incidence of events in the first 30 days of treatment hwith etodolac extended-release tablets. As with other NSAIDs, the cumulative adverse event rates may increase significantly over time with extended therapy.

In patients taking NSAIDs, including etodolac extended-release tablets, the most frequently reported adverse experiences occurring in approximately 1-10% of patients are:

Additional NSAID Adverse Experiences Reported Occasionally with NSAIDs or Etodolac Extended- Release Tablets Include:

Body as a whole – allergic reaction, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions (including shock), chills, fever, sepsis

Cardiovascular system - congestive heart failure, flushing, palpitations, tachycardia, syncope, vasculitis (including necrotizing and allergic)

Digestive system - anorexia, cholestatic hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, dry mouth, duodenitis, eructation, esophagitis, gastritis, gastric/peptic ulcers, glossitis, hepatic failure, hepatitis, hematemesis, intestinal ulceration, jaundice, liver necrosis, melena, pancreatitis, rectal bleeding, stomatitis

Hemic and lymphatic system - agranulocytosis, ecchymosis, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia

Metabolic and nutritional - hyperglycemia in previously controlled diabetic patients

Nervous system - anxiety, confusion, depression, dream abnormalities, insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremors, vertigo

Respiratory system - asthma, dyspnea, pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia

Skin and appendages - angioedema, cutaneous vasculitis with purpura, erythema multiforme, hyperpigmentation, sweating, urticaria, vesiculobullous rash

Special senses - blurred vision, photophobia, transient visual disturbances

Urogenital system - dysuria, elevated BUN, oliguria/polyuria, proteinuria, renal failure, renal insufficiency, renal papillary necrosis, serum creatinine increase, urinary frequency

Other NSAID adverse reactions, which occur rarely are:

Body as a whole - anaphylactic reactions, appetite changes, death

Cardiovascular system - arrhythmia, cerebrovascular accident, hypotension, myocardial infarction

Digestive system - colitis, esophagitis with or without stricture or cardiospasm, thirst, ulcerative stomatitis

Hemic and lymphatic system - aplastic anemia, lymphadenopathy

Metabolic and nutritional - change in weight

Nervous system - coma, convulsions, hallucinations, meningitis

Respiratory - bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory depression, sinusitis

Skin and appendages - alopecia, exfoliative dermatitis, maculopapular rash, photosensitivity, skin peeling, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrosis

Special senses - conjunctivitis, deafness, hearing impairment, taste perversion

Urogenital System - cystitis, hematuria, interstitial nephritis, leukorrhea, renal calculus, uterine bleeding irregularities

Read the Etodolac XR (etodolac extended release) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

ACE-inhibitors

Reports suggest that NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors. This interaction should be given consideration in patients taking NSAIDs concomitantly with ACE-inhibitors.

Aspirin

When etodolac extended-release tablets is administered with aspirin, its protein binding is reduced, although the clearance of free etodolac extended-release tablets is not altered. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of etodolac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.

Furosemide

Clinical studies, as well as post marketing observations, have shown that etodolac extended-release tablets can reduce the natriuretic effect-of furosemide and thiazides in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. During concomitant therapy with NSAIDs, the patient should be observed closely for signs of renal failure (see PRECAUTIONS, Renal Effects), as well as to assure diuretic efficacy.

Lithium

NSAIDs have produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15% and the renal clearance was decreased by approximately 20%. These effects have been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by the NSAID. Thus, when NSAIDs and lithium are administered concurrently, subjects should be observed carefully for signs of lithium toxicity.

Methotrexate

NSAIDs have been reported to competitively inhibit methotrexate accumulation in rabbit kidney slices. This may indicate that they could enhance the toxicity of methotrexate. Caution should be used when NSAIDs are administered concomitantly with methotrexate.

Warfarin

The effects of warfarin and NSAIDs on GI bleeding are synergistic, such that users of both drugs together have a risk of serious GI bleeding higher than users of either drug alone.

Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions

The urine of patients who take etodolac can give a false-positive reaction for urinary bilirubin (urobilin) due to the presence of phenolic metabolites of etodolac. Diagnostic dip-stick methodology, used to detect ketone bodies in urine, has resulted in false-positive findings in some patients treated with etodolac. Generally, this phenomenon has not been associated with other clinically significant events. No dose relationship has been observed. Etodolac treatment is associated with a small decrease in serum uric acid levels. In clinical trials, mean decreases of 1 to 2 mg/dL were observed in arthritic patients receiving etodolac (600 to 1000 mg/day) after 4 weeks of therapy. These levels then remained stable for up to 1 year of therapy.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/9/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.