Diflunisal
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
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Diflunisal 250mg Tablets
Manufactured by Apotex Incorporated
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Diflunisal 500mg Tablets
Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals
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Diflunisal Prescription Drug Information
Diflunisal (By mouth)
Diflunisal (dye-FLOO-ni-sal)
Treats pain caused by arthritis and other medical problems. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Brand Name(s):Dolobid
There may be other brand names for Diflunisal.
When Diflunisal Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Diflunisal if you have had an allergic reaction to diflunisal, aspirin, or other pain and arthritis medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®. The reaction may have included wheezing or trouble breathing, hives, rash, or swelling in your face. You should not use Diflunisal if you have a stomach ulcer, a bleeding disorder, or if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. Do not take Diflunisal if you have advanced kidney disease. Diflunisal should not be used in children less than 12 years of age. Do not use Diflunisal right before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery.
How to Use Diflunisal:
Tablet
- Diflunisal should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Diflunisal to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- Use Diflunisal for the shortest time possible and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew or crush it.
- It is best to take Diflunisal with food or milk so it does not upset your stomach.
If a dose of Diflunisal is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of Diflunisal:
- Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
- Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Diflunisal:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or a steroid such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®. Tell your doctor if you are using methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Trexall®), or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are using acetaminophen (Tylenol®), antacids (Maalox®, Mylanta®), cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), or lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®). Tell your doctor if you are using a blood pressure medicine such as candesartan, enalapril, lisinopril, losartan, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Atacand®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Hyzaar®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®.
- Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, sulindac, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.
Warnings While Using Diflunisal:
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of ulcers or other stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you have bleeding problems, liver disease, or kidney disease. Make sure your doctor knows if you have asthma, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), or other heart or circulation problems.
- Diflunisal may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use Diflunisal for a long time might also have a higher risk.
- Diflunisal may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner).
- Diflunisal can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome. It occurs mostly in children and teenagers, but can affect someone at any age. Do not give Diflunisal to anyone who has chicken pox or symptoms of a virus or the flu, unless your doctor has told you to. If a child has behavior changes along with nausea and vomiting while using Diflunisal, call the doctor right away.
- Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Diflunisal. Be sure to keep all appointments.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Diflunisal. Diflunisal may affect the results of certain medical tests.
Possible Side Effects While Using Diflunisal:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
- Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
- Bloody or black, tarry stools.
- Change in how much or how often you urinate.
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
- Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
- Pain in your lower leg (calf).
- Problems with vision, speech, or walking.
- Rapid weight gain.
- Severe pain in your upper stomach.
- Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
- Skin rash or blisters with fever.
- Sudden or severe headache.
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
- Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Diflunisal, talk with your doctor:
- Diarrhea, or upset stomach.
- Loss of appetite.
- Mild nausea or stomach pain.
- New or worse pain in your joints or muscles.
- Problems with your vision.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Diflunisal, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
