Nimesulide can affect the gastrointestinal system, central nervous system, and many other parts of the body. This medication belongs to a class of drugs referred to as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Some of the more commonly experienced nimesulide side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, and itching. Improper dosing and preexisting conditions can increase the likelihood of nimesulide leading to side effects. Many countries across the globe have banned this medication because of its link with liver toxicity.
Doctors prescribe nimesulide to treat several different conditions. It is only prescribed when the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the possible nimesulide side effects. It is often recommended to treat osteoarthritis, fever, back pain, and other painful inflammatory conditions. Nimesulide is also used to treat dysmenorrhea in adults and children over twelve years old.
Patients may experience a few gastrointestinal side effects while taking this medication, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting can accompany nimesulide use. Abdominal cramps and general abdominal discomfort are other common gastrointestinal side effects that patients may experience while taking this medication.
Nimesulide side effects can directly affect the central nervous system. Common side effects that affect the central nervous system include dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness. Blood in the urine, a decrease in urination frequency, and kidney failure are possible genitourinary side effects of nimesulide. Skin rashes are other side effects linked with this NSAID.
Taking more of this medication than recommended increases the risk of experiencing side effects. The average nimesulide dose is 100 milligrams taken twice daily. Children should be given five milligrams nimesulide per kilogram of body weight divided into two or three doses and taken throughout the day.
Patients suffering from certain conditions, such as liver disease, bleeding disorders, and kidney disease should not take this medication. Taking this medication while suffering from any of these conditions increases the risk of side effects. The elderly and people with ulcers are more likely to experience negative side effects while taking this medication. Experiencing nimesulide side effects is also more likely in patients with histories of high blood pressure, fluid retention, and stomach problems.
Several studies tied nimesulide use with rare incidents of liver toxicity. Such studies have prompted many countries to ban the medication. Canada, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, and the United States are just a few of the over 170 countries across the globe that have banned this medication.
