We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Nabumetone?

By Sam Rafelson
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,248
Share

Nabumetone is the generic name of a medication prescribed by doctors to relieve stiffness, tenderness, inflammation and joint pain in patients suffering from arthritis. Widely prescribed in the medical community since 1991, nabumetone is marketed under the brand names Relafen, Gambaran and Relifex. Doctors typically prescribe it to treat symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by swelling in the lining of the joints, and osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is marked by a breakdown in the lining of the joints.

Nabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a type of medication primarily used to treat mild to moderate pain and fever. NSAIDs are used in the treatment of headaches, sports injuries and menstrual cramps as well as arthritis. As their name suggests, NSAIDs are not related to steroids but work to reduce inflammation. NSAIDs, including nabumetone, work by reducing the body's production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote inflammation, pain and fever. Drugs routinely used to relieve pain such as ibuprofen and naproxen also belong to this class of medication.

An off-white crystalline substance that is non-acidic and virtually insoluble in water, nabumetone usually comes in an oval-shaped, film-coated tablet that contains 500 mg or 750 mg of the medication. Patients typically take the tablets by mouth once or twice a day, with or without food, at approximately the same time each day, according to the instructions of their physician. Doctors often start patients on a low dose of the drug and gradually increase the dosage. Nabumetone is one of the most frequently prescribed medications of its class. Annual sales of nabumetone reached $66.8 million in the U.S. market alone for the 12 months ending September 2010.

Although clinical trials have demonstrated that nabumetone is efficient in treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis with a relatively low occurrence of side effects, the drug can cause side effects in some patients, particularly among those taking higher doses of the drug. The most common side effects involve the body's gastrointestinal system and can include abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating. Patients are sometimes advised to take the drug with food to reduce gastrointestinal distress. More serious side effects can include unexpected weight gain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a lack of energy, a loss of appetite, hives or a rash. Patients are advised to contact their doctor immediately if they are experiencing any of those symptoms.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-nabumetone.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.