Sulindac helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to provide relief in pain associated with joint disorders such as osteoarthritis (a condition wherein joint surfaces are damaged), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, or ankles), and ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation in the joints of the spine).
This medicine may also be used to treat pain due to gout (high uric acid level in the blood).
Sulindac may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Sulindac 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.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
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 Sulindac if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines, such as indometacin or aspirin.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- recent or active stomach ulcer or bleeding
- history of bleeding or perforation (hole) in the gut related to previous use of NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Sulindac if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Sulindac should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestines)
- Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract)
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- hypovolaemia (low volume of fluids in the body)
- swelling in the feet or legs due to fluid build up
- bleeding problems
- diabetes
- systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- history of kidney stones
- infection
- active smoker
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Sulindac to the elderly and debilitated patient (a person who is physically or mentally weak due to illness or old age). Elderly people and debilitated patients 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.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, complete blood count, 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.
Sulindac 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: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or cramps, constipation, indigestion, lack of appetite, headache, and ringing in the ears.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, weakness on one side of the body
- chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat
- severe upper stomach pain often with nausea or vomiting
- unable to pass urine, change in the amount of urine passed, blood in the urine
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth, or eyes accompanied by fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
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:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, losartan
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide
- other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. diflunisal, aspirin
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, methotrexate, tacrolimus
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- other anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
- medicines for depression e.g. fluoxetine
- probenecid (medicine for gout)
- zidovudine (medicine for HIV infection)
- lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sulindac.
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.
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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