From the Guidelines
Relafen (nabumetone) should be used with caution due to its potential to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially with long-term use or in people with existing heart conditions, as evidenced by the American Heart Association's statement on the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Relafen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- The typical starting dose is 1,000 mg taken once daily, which can be increased to 1,500-2,000 mg daily if needed, divided into one or two doses.
- Relafen should be taken with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Like other NSAIDs, it works by blocking enzymes called cyclooxygenases that produce prostaglandins, chemicals that promote inflammation and pain.
- Common side effects include stomach upset, heartburn, dizziness, and headache.
- Relafen may cause serious side effects including stomach bleeding, kidney problems, and increased risk of heart attack or stroke, especially with long-term use or in people with existing heart conditions.
Important Considerations
- Relafen is classified under the chemical grouping of ~Anxhranilic, as shown in Figure 4 of the American Heart Association's statement 1.
- The MEDAL program reported noninferiority of etoricoxib compared with diclofenac with regard to cardiovascular thrombotic events, but this does not directly apply to Relafen 1.
- A more recent study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2023 noted that nearly half of the patients with erythromelalgia who tried nabumetone found it to be somewhat or very helpful 1.
Recommendations
- Relafen should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to minimize the risk of adverse effects, especially in patients with pre-existing heart conditions or risk factors for cardiovascular disease 1.
- Patients should be closely monitored for signs of stomach bleeding, kidney problems, and increased risk of heart attack or stroke while taking Relafen.
- Alternative treatment options should be considered for patients who are at high risk of adverse effects or who have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or heart disease.
From the FDA Drug Label
Nabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties in pharmacologic studies. The answer to the question "relafen" is that Relafen is another name for Nabumetone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) 2.
- Key points:
- Nabumetone is a prodrug that undergoes hepatic biotransformation to the active component, 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA).
- Indications: Nabumetone tablets are indicated for relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis 2.
From the Research
Overview of Relafen (Nabumetone)
- Relafen, also known as nabumetone, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat rheumatic and inflammatory conditions 3, 4.
- It is absorbed as a nonacidic prodrug and is rapidly converted in the liver to an active metabolite, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects 3, 4.
Therapeutic Use
- Nabumetone is clinically used mainly for the management of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to reduce pain and inflammation 3, 5.
- The optimum oral dosage of nabumetone for OA patients is 1 g once daily, which is well tolerated 3.
- In RA patients, nabumetone 1 g at bedtime is optimal, but an additional 0.5-1 g can be administered in the morning for patients with persistent symptoms 3.
Efficacy and Safety
- Nabumetone has shown a comparable clinical efficacy to aspirin, diclofenac, piroxicam, ibuprofen, and naproxen in the treatment of OA and RA 3, 5.
- Clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance studies have shown that nabumetone is generally well tolerated, with a low incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events 3, 6.
- The most frequent adverse effects are those commonly seen with COX inhibitors, which include diarrhea, dyspepsia, headache, abdominal pain, and nausea 3, 6.
Comparison with Other NSAIDs
- Nabumetone has been compared with other NSAIDs, such as diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, and piroxicam, in terms of efficacy and safety 5, 6.
- Studies have shown that nabumetone is at least as safe as these NSAIDs, with a lower incidence of serious events such as ulcers and meaningful decreases in hemoglobin 6.