Arthritis - Macroxam (Brand name: feldene)

Common use

Feldene is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Feldene reduces hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Dosage and direction

Consult your doctor before using. Use no more than was prescribed. Take it orally with food or milk. For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis the recommended dose is 20 milligrams (mg) once a day or 10 mg twice a day. Do not use this medication in children without a doctor's permission.
Note: this instruction presented here is just for review. It's very necessary to consult your doctor before using. It will help you to get best results.

Precautions

If you have heart disease, or high blood pressure, or other conditions that cause fluid retention, use Feldene with caution. This medication can increase water retention and is not recommended for people with advanced kidney disease, also Feldene cause liver damage. Also medications such as Feldene may cause eye disturbances in some patients. If you develop visual problems, tell your eye doctor. Feldene can increase the risk of serious stomach or bowel problems. If your health is poor, if you have a history of smoking or drinking alcohol, if you take corticosteroid medicines or "blood thinners", or if you take this medicine for a long period of time  the risk of taking Feldene will be increased. Feldene should not be used during pregnancy ( if becoming pregnant) or when lactating without doctor's advice. Do not use Feldene before breast-feeding without doctor's advice.

Contraindications

Feldene is not allowed in people with active peptic ulcer, inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder, gastrointestinal bleeding or hypersensitive to Feldene, Aspirin, or similar drugs. Also if you have had asthma attacks caused by Aspirin or other drugs of this type, you should not take this medication. Do not use Feldene for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Possible side effects

They may include all types of an allergic reaction. Also the most possible side effects include:
weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, problems with vision or balance,slurred speech;
bloody, black, 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;
dark urine, nausea, low fever, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools, jaundice, stomach pain;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure.
Less serious include:
upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
bloating, gas;
dizziness, headache, nervousness;
skin itching or rash;
blurred vision;
ringing in your ears.
If you experience one of them stop using Feldene and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

Drug interaction

Feldene interacts with the following drugs: a blood thinner such as warfarin; lithium; methotrexate;
diuretics such as furosemide; steroids; aspirin or other NSAIDs such as etodolac, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, nabumetone, naproxen, and others;
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril, captopril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, and others.
Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the effect of drugs, so consult your doctor about how the way these interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your usual dose next day in the same regular time.

Overdose

Symptoms of Feldene overdose may include: stomach pain, nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, black or bloody stools, shallow breathing, coughing up blood, fainting, or coma. If you experience one of them or any unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F).

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Please find the full description of Feldene at Drugs.com and general information at Wikipedia