Tolmetin - Oral

Tolmetin helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to provide relief from pain associated with joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles) and osteoarthritis (a joint disorder where the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness).

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Tolmetin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your disease and your response to the medication.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Do not take Tolmetin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.

Alert your doctor if you have a history of asthma, hives or allergic reaction after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation), as Tolmetin may not be suitable for you.

This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• heart disease or blood vessel problems e.g. recent heart attack, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood), high blood pressure
• history of peptic ulcer disease (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe) or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
• other forms of asthma
• bleeding disorder
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Tolmetin to a child, the elderly, or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Notify your doctor if you smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol, or if you are a frequent drinker.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine drug test), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, kidney function, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
• Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of bleeding in the stomach or intestine and liver problems may also be needed.

Tolmetin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach wind, constipation, stomach pain, weight gain or loss, generalised weakness or lack of energy, and skin irritation.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
• signs and symptoms of heart attack e.g. chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness
• pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
• signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. aspirin
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril
• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
• lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
• warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tolmetin.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.