About

Feldene is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. NSAIDs, including feldene, block the enzyme in the body that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower levels of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are responsible for causing many types of pain, fever and inflammation. As a consequence of taking NSAIDs, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced. The FDA approved Feldene in 1982. Feldene is used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to take

The recommended dose is 20 mg once daily or 10 mg twice daily. Feldene should be taken with food.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Warnings and precautions

Before taking Feldene, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Feldene, if you have high blood pressure, a blood disorder, bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or if you are at risk for any of these diseases, have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol, or you have a history of alcohol abuse, if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers), or a history of swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. Feldene may harm the fetus. Do not use it during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Feldene while you are pregnant. Feldene is found in breast milk. Do not breast–feed while you are taking Feldene. Some medicines may interact with Feldene. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Feldene if you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery. Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Feldene. Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Feldene with food will not reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain, black, tarry stools, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds, or unusual weight gain or swelling. Do not take Feldene if you are taking another NSAID. Do not take aspirin while using Feldene. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of Feldene and might require a lower dose. Feldene should be used with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

Side effects

Most patients benefit from Feldene and other NSAIDs with few side effects. However, serious side effects can occur and generally tend to occur more frequently at higher doses. Therefore, it is advisable to use the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. The most common side effects of Feldene involve the gastrointestinal system. It can cause ulcerations, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of internal bleeding. Rash, kidney impairment, ringing in the ears, and lightheadedness also can occur.

Storage

Store Feldene at 59 – 86 °F (15 – 30 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Feldene out of the reach of children.