Nabumetone — uses, dosing, side effects & the brands that sell it · pharmaranks
Nabumetone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Nabumetone is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation and osteoarthritis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
By the pharmaranks editorial team·Reviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sources·How we research
Key facts
Drug class
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Treats
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammation and Osteoarthritis
From the FDA label for Nabumetone (application ANDA090516). Other nabumetone products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of nabumetone tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use nabumetone tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). After observing the response to initial therapy with nabumetone tablets, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient’s needs. Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: The recommended starting dose is 1,000 mg taken as a single dose with or without food. Some patients may obtain more symptomatic relief from 1,500 mg to 2,000 mg per day. Nabumetone can be given in either a single or twice-daily dose. Dosages greater than 2,000 mg per day have not been studied. The lowest effective dose should be used for chronic treatment (see WARNINGS , Renal Effects ). Patients weighing under 50 kg may be less likely to require dosages beyond 1,000 mg; therefore, after observing the response to initial therapy, the dose should be adjusted to meet individual patients’ requirements.
Nabumetone side effects
Adverse reaction information was derived from blinded-controlled and open-labelled clinical trials and from worldwide marketing experience. In the description below, rates of the more common events (greater than 1%) and many of the less common events (less than 1%) represent results of US clinical studies. Of the 1,677 patients who received nabumetone during US clinical trials, 1,524 were treated for at least 1 month, 1,327 for at least 3 months, 929 for at least a year, and 750 for at least 2 years. More than 300 patients have been treated for 5 years or longer. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were related to the gastrointestinal tract and included diarrhea, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain. Incidence ≥ 1%—Probably Causally Related Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (14%), dyspepsia (13%), abdominal pain (12%), constipation * , flatulence * , nausea * , positive stool guaiac * , dry mouth, gastritis, stomatitis, vomiting. Central Nervous System: Dizziness * , headache * , fatigue, increased sweating, insomnia, nervousness, somnolence. Dermatologic: Pruritus * , rash * . Special Senses: Tinnitus * . Miscellaneous: Edema * . * Incidence of reported reaction between 3% and 9%. Reactions occurring in 1% to 3% of the patients are unmarked. Incidence <1%—Probably Causally Related † Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, jaundice, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, gastric ulcer, gastroenteritis,…
Every nabumetone product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Nabumetone pill imprints
Imprint
Strength
Colour
Shape
Maker
SG;465
500 mg
white
oval
—
SG;465
500 mg
white
oval
—
N784
500 mg
white
oval
—
N785
750 mg
white
oval
—
SG;466
750 mg
white
oval
—
SG;466
750 mg
white
Frequently asked questions
What is nabumetone?
Nabumetone is a naphthylalkanone designated chemically as 4-(6-methoxy-2- naphthalenyl)-2- butanone. It has the following structure: Nabumetone, USP is a white or almost white crystalline substance with a molecular weight of 228.3. It is nonacidic, freely soluble in acetone, sparingly soluble in alcohol and in methanol, practically insoluble in water. It has an n-octanol:phosphate buffer partition coefficient of 2400 at pH 7.4. Each tablet, for oral administration contains either 500 mg or 750 mg of nabumetone, USP. In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium starch glycolate, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. structure1
What kind of drug is nabumetone?
The FDA classifies nabumetone as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that your body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling, and fever. Lowering prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation and brings down a high temperature. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take nabumetone with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run nabumetone against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is nabumetone sold under?
We track 2 nabumetone-containing products in the U.S.: Nabumetone and Relafen. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does nabumetone come in?
Across the brands we track, nabumetone is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Who shouldn’t take nabumetone
Nabumetone tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to nabumetone or its excipients. Nabumetone tablets should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients (see WARNINGS , Anaphylactoid Reactions , and PRECAUTIONS , General , Preexisting Asthma ). Nabumetone tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Warnings ].
Nabumetone drug interactions
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 nabumetone tablets are administered with aspirin, its protein binding is reduced, although the clearance of free nabumetone is not altered. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of nabumetone tablets and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects. Diuretics: Clinical studies, as well as post marketing observations, have shown that nabumetone 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 WARNINGS , 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…
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic nabumetone product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.