Tolectin

Tolectin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Tolectin is used to treat pain or swelling caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine can also be used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old.

Tolectin may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the lowest effective dose for your condition.

It may take up to 1 week for your symptoms to improve. Continue using the medication as directed and inform your doctor if your symptoms do not get better.

If you take Tolectin for a long time, you may need regular medical tests.

This medicine can affect the results of some medical tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using Tolectin.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Tolectin can raise your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use Tolectin just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Tolectin may also lead to serious stomach or intestinal issues, such as bleeding, ulcers, or tears (perforation), which can be life-threatening. These issues can occur at any time while using this medicine and without any warning. Older adults are at higher risk. Stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you vomit blood or have bloody, black, or tarry stools.

Tolectin can increase your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine right before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). This medicine may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. This can happen without warning, especially in older adults.

You should not use Tolectin if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had an asthma attack, hives, or a severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes;
• a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• stomach ulcers or bleeding;
• asthma;
• fluid retention; or
• liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tolectin may harm an unborn baby if used at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy. If you are between 20 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, only use this medicine if your doctor has advised you to. Avoid using this medicine at about 30 weeks of pregnancy or later.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop taking Tolectin and call your doctor at once if you have:

• changes in your vision;
• any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;
• heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• a hole (perforation) in your digestive tract--fever, severe stomach pain, change in bowel habits;
• liver problems--loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, flu-like symptoms, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems--urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, tiredness, feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet.

Older adults may be more likely to have serious stomach problems while taking medicine that contains an NSAID.

Common side effects of Tolectin may include:

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation, gas;
• heartburn;
• headache, dizziness;
• swelling in any part of your body;
• high blood pressure;
• weakness; or
• changes in weight.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Drinking alcohol may increase your chances of stomach or intestinal bleeding.

Do not take aspirin unless your doctor advises you to.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may have ingredients similar to Tolectin (like aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Ask your doctor before taking Tolectin if you are on an antidepressant. Taking certain antidepressants with an NSAID may make you bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• steroids; or
• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Tolectin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.