Etodolac Side Effects

Some side effects of etodolac may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to etodolac: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking etodolac: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking etodolac and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or

• fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects of etodolac may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;

• bloating, gas;

• dizziness, headache, nervousness;

• skin itching or rash;

• sore throat, stuffy nose;

• blurred vision; or

• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to etodolac: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Gastrointestinal

Serious GI toxicity, such as inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, small intestine or large intestine, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated chronically with NSAIDs.

In one safety review, the overall incidence of serious GI side effects associated with etodolac use ranged from 0.3% to 0.6%. The manufacturer cites a higher incidence, 2% to 4%, of serious GI events in patients treated with NSAIDs for up to one year.

Patients with a history of serious GI events or alcohol abuse are at increased risk for severe GI side effects.

Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects have included dyspepsia (1% to 13%) and abdominal pain (3% to 11%). Heartburn, gastric ulcers (gastric/duodenal), GI bleeding/perforation, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence have been reported in 1% to 10% of patients. Melena, constipation, gastritis, abdominal distension, epigastric pain, and abnormal stools have been reported in greater than 1% and less than 3% of patients. Other side effects reported in less than 1% of patients have included GI discomfort, burning sensation, eructation, blood in stools, gastralgia, upper abdominal discomfort, thirst, dry mouth, intestinal ulceration, anorexia, duodenitis, and esophagitis with or without stricture or cardiospasm. More serious side effects reported in less than 1% of patients have included peptic ulcers with or without perforation, pancreatitis, and colitis. Gastritis, ulcerative stomatitis, and colonic strictures have been reported. In addition, glossitis, and hematemesis have also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Renal

Renal side effects including renal impairment, elevations in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, renal insufficiency, renal failure, renal papillary necrosis, interstitial nephritis, and renal calculi have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Abnormal renal function and proteinuria have been reported. Oliguria/polyuria has also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Elevations in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are typically minor and transient. However, in one safety review, abnormal renal function tests resulted in study withdrawal in 0.3% of patients treated with etodolac.

Etodolac may impair the ability of the kidney to cope with low renal blood flow states due to inhibition of prostaglandin-dependent afferent arteriolar vasodilation. Renal function may be further compromised in patients with heart failure, hypovolemia, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, or hypoalbuminemia. Additional risk factors for etodolac-induced renal insufficiency are advanced age and concomitant use of diuretics.

A case-control study suggested that patients who consumed 5000 or more pills containing NSAIDs during their lifetime may be at increased risk of end-stage renal disease.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevations in serum transaminases in up to 15% of patients. Hepatic failure, jaundice, cholestatic jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis, and cholestatic hepatitis have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Elevations in serum transaminases three times normal values are reported in less than 1% of patients treated with etodolac. In one safety review, etodolac was discontinued in 0.9% of patients due to elevations in liver function tests.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased bleeding time, leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, and ecchymosis have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Lymphadenopathy has also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including pruritus and rash have been reported in greater than 1% and less than 3% of patients. Exfoliative dermatitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, sweating, alopecia, photosensitivity, skin peeling, hyperpigmentation, vesiculobullous rash, and maculopapular rash have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including urticaria, angioedema, cutaneous vasculitis with purpura, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, allergic reactions, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions (including shock) have been reported in less in than 1% of patients. At least one case of hypersensitivity vasculitis mimicking temporal arteritis has also been reported.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have been reported rarely. Hyperglycemia has been reported in previously in controlled diabetic patients (less than 1%), although causality is unknown. Change in weight has also been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included asthenia (2% to 9%), malaise (3% to 9%), headache (5%), and dizziness (3% to 9%). Fatigue and nervousness have been reported in greater than 1% and less than 3% of patients. Insomnia, somnolence, confusion, paresthesias, and irritability have been reported in less than 1% of patients. In addition, convulsions, coma, meningitis, tremors, vertigo, anxiety, dream abnormalities, and hallucinations have also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included depression (greater than 1% and less than 3%), insomnia, and somnolence. In addition, anxiety, dream abnormalities, and hallucinations have also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included worsening of heart failure and elevated blood pressure. Hypertension, edema, congestive heart failure, flushing, palpitations, syncope, vasculitis (including necrotizing and allergic), arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Tachycardia has also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including dysuria and urinary frequency have been reported in greater than 1% and less than 3% of patients. Cystitis, hematuria, leukorrhea, and bleeding irregularities have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Intrauterine bleeding has also been reported.

Ocular

Ocular side effects including blurred vision have been reported in greater than 1% and less than 3% of patients. Photophobia, transient visual disturbances, and conjunctivitis have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

General

General side effects associated with the use of NSAIDs have included sepsis and death.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pulmonary infiltration. Bronchitis, dyspnea, asthma, pharyngitis, eosinophilia, rhinitis, bronchospasm, and sinusitis have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Respiratory depression and pneumonia have also been reported with the use of NSAIDs.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgia (greater than 1% and less than 3%) and muscle pain (less than 1%).

Other

Other side effects including chills, fever, and tinnitus have been reported in greater than 1% and less than 3% of patients. Loss of taste, infection, and taste perversion have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Dysgeusia (altered taste) has also been reported.

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