nabumetone at a glance
Medicine class
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Licensed uses
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
How to take it
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water, with or after a meal.
Important precaution
Do not combine with ibuprofen, naproxen or another NSAID unless specifically instructed by a clinician.
What is nabumetone used for?
The selected product is licensed for inflammatory joint disease requiring both pain relief and an anti-inflammatory effect.
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
How does nabumetone work?
Nabumetone is converted in the liver to an active metabolite called 6-MNA. This inhibits prostaglandin production, helping to reduce joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
nabumetone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take nabumetone
Follow the pharmacy label and prescriber's instructions. The selected product is for oral use.
Take with or after a meal.
Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not chew it.
Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
Ask a pharmacist before using any non-prescription painkiller alongside it.
nabumetone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea or inflammation of the stomach lining
- Diarrhoea, constipation or wind
- Rash or itching
- Fluid retention or swollen ankles
- Raised blood pressure
- Ringing in the ears or other ear symptoms
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, or worsening asthma
- Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain
- A blistering, peeling or widespread rash, especially with fever or mouth sores
- Chest pain or symptoms of a stroke
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Reduced urine, blood in the urine or marked swelling
- Fever, sore throat, unusual bruising or other possible blood-cell problems
nabumetone in pregnancy
Nabumetone should not be self-used during pregnancy and is contraindicated during the third trimester. From 20 weeks, NSAIDs can affect fetal kidney function, amniotic fluid and the ductus arteriosus; contact the maternity team or prescriber after exposure. It may also impair female fertility, so discuss it when planning pregnancy or undergoing fertility assessment.
nabumetone while breastfeeding
The selected product is contraindicated during breastfeeding because human milk data are unavailable and serious infant effects cannot be excluded. A clinician should select an alternative; ibuprofen and diclofenac are identified as preferred NSAIDs for full-term, healthy breastfed infants when clinically appropriate.
nabumetone interactions
Check prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products before starting nabumetone. Important interactions include:
Other NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors
Combining NSAIDs increases gastrointestinal, kidney and other adverse effects and should be avoided.
Anticoagulants such as warfarin
Nabumetone may strengthen anticoagulant effects and increase bleeding risk.
Antiplatelets, corticosteroids and SSRIs
These combinations can increase gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding.
Common questions about nabumetone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can I take ibuprofen with nabumetone?
Usually not. Both are NSAIDs, and combining them increases the risk of bleeding, ulcers, kidney injury and other adverse effects.
Can I take paracetamol with nabumetone?
Paracetamol is not reported to alter nabumetone's metabolism or availability, but check with a pharmacist because combination products, other medicines and health conditions may change what is appropriate.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.