Relafen vs. Solaraze

• Are Relafen and Solaraze the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Relafen?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Solaraze?
• What Is Relafen?
• What Is Solaraze?
• What Drugs Interact with Relafen?
• What Drugs Interact with Solaraze?
• How Should Relafen Be Taken?
• How Should Solaraze Be Taken?

Relafen (nabumetone) and Solaraze (diclofenac sodium) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat different conditions.

Relafen is used to treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

Solaraze Gel is used to treat warty overgrowths of skin (actinic keratoses) on sun-exposed areas of the body.

Relafen is taken orally, and Solaraze is applied topically (on the skin).

The brand name Relafen is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Relafen and Solaraze that are similar include upset stomach, stomach pain, diarrhea, and gas.

Side effects of Relafen that are different from Solaraze include heartburn, constipation, bloating, dizziness, headache, nervousness, skin itching or rash, blurred vision, and ringing in your ears.

Side effects of Solaraze that are different from Relafen include application site skin reactions (rash, redness, scaling, dry skin, swelling, irritation, or itching) and nausea.

Both Relafen and Solaraze may interact with alcohol, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, heart or blood pressure medications, and ACE inhibitors.

Relafen may also interact with antidepressants and aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Solaraze may also interact with cyclosporine and cosmetics, sunscreen, lotions, insect repellant, or other medicated skin products applied to the same area.

Common side effects of Relafen include:

• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• skin itching or rash,
• blurred vision, or
• ringing in your ears.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including Relafen) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract is another potentially serious side effect of Relafen.

Common side effects of Solaraze include:

• application site skin reactions (rash, redness, scaling, dry skin, swelling, irritation, or itching),
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea, or
• gas.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Solaraze Gel including:

• swelling of the ankles/feet/hands,
• sudden or unexplained weight gain,
• unusual tiredness, or
• signs of kidney problems (such as changes in the amount of urine).

Relafen (nabumetone) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug used to treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. The brand name drug Relafen is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Solaraze may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, or ACE inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During the first 6 months of pregnancy, Solaraze should be used only when prescribed. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to possible harm to the fetus and problems with normal labor/delivery. Based on information from related drugs, this medication may pass into breast milk. Though there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Relafen may interact with antidepressants, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or ACE inhibitors.. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women, and Relafen should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Use during late pregnancy should be avoided because of the known effects of NSAIDs in the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus). It is not known whether Relafen is excreted in human milk; a decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the Relafen.

Solaraze may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. It is not known if Solaraze gel is harmful to unborn babies. Solaraze gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is unknown if Solaraze passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

Solaraze Gel is applied to lesion areas twice daily. Smooth onto affected skin gently. The amount needed depends upon the size of the lesion site. Assure that enough Solaraze Gel is applied to adequately cover each lesion. Normally 0.5 g of gel is used on each 5 cm x 5 cm lesion site. The recommended duration of therapy is 60 to 90 days.