Acemetacin helps relieve pain and inflammation that affects the muscles, bones, and joints in cases such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in joints of fingers, wrist, feet, ankles) and osteoarthritis (damage of joints' surfaces).
This medicine may also be used to treat low back pain and pain and inflammation after surgery.
Take Acemetacin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
You may stop taking this medicine when you have no more pain and inflammation.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Acemetacin if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to similar medicines such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation).
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- nasal polyps (noncancerous growths in the lining of the nose) caused by angioedema (swelling in the deep layers of the skin)
- history of bleeding in the stomach or bowel caused by taking NSAIDs
- existing or history of recurrent (more than 2 episodes) peptic ulcer (sore on the lining of the stomach, bowel, or oesophagus) or stomach bleeding
- blood disorder of unknown cause
- severe heart disease
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
as Acemetacin may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are on your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Do not give this medicine to a child unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- current or history of asthma
- heart disease e.g. congestive heart failure
- risk factors for heart disease e.g. high levels of cholesterol in the blood, diabetes, smoking
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- previous stroke or disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
- history of inflammation of the bowel or stomach ulcer
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- mental illness or mood disorder
- Parkinson's disease (disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- suffering from viral infections such as chickenpox or herpes zoster
- mild to moderate liver disease
- mild to moderate kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding or in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Acemetacin to an elderly person. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver or kidney function, complete blood test, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of side effects in the stomach including bleeding may also be needed.
Acemetacin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach wind, loss of appetite, ringing in the ears, tiredness, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- pass out bloody stools or black as tar and vomiting blood, or ground coffee-like material
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- frequent and persistent sore throat with fever
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- weakness on one side of the body, drooping on one side of the face
- chest pain or pressure
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen
- anti-inflammatory medicine e.g. prednisone
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- medicines to treat depression e.g. escitalopram
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. amlodipine
- medicines for heart disease e.g. digoxin
- water pill or medicine for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- medicine for gout (high uric acid level in the blood) e.g. probenecid
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. haloperidol, lithium
- medicines that reduces stomach acid production
- phenytoin (medicine for fits or seizure)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- zidovudine (medicine for HIV infection)
- penicillin (antibiotic)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Acemetacin.
Avoid the use of this medicine for 8-12 days after taking mifepristone (medicine used in the early stages of pregnancy for termination).
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the stomach bleeding caused by Acemetacin.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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