Description
Relafen is used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to Use
Take Relafen with a full glass of water as directed by your doctor. To avoid stomach upset take Relafen with a meal.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Relafen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, foods or other substances, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Relafen , aspirin or other NSAID, if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, diabetes, stomach or bowel problems (e.g., bleeding, perforation, ulcers), H. pylori infection, of fluid buildup, swelling, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation, if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders, bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (e.g., heart failure), or blood vessel disease, have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol, or you have a history of alcohol abuse, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. Relafen may harm the fetus. Do not use it during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Relafen while you are pregnant. It is not known if Relafen is found in breast milk. Do not breast–feed while you are taking Relafen. Some medicines may interact with Relafen. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Relafen if you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery. Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Relafen. Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Relafen with food will not reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor or emergency room at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain, black, tarry stools, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds, or unusual weight gain or swelling. Do not take another NSAID together with Relafen without consulting your doctor. Do not take aspirin while taking Relafen. Relafen may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Relafen. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for any length of time. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Lab tests, including kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be done to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Relafen should be used with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects
Some of the possible side effects are – constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, gas, headache, heartburn, nausea, stomach upset. Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately – allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue), bloody or black, tarry stools, change in the amount of urine produced, chest pain, confusion, dark urine, depression, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, chills, or persistent sore throat, mental or mood changes, numbness of an arm or leg one–sided weakness, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin, ringing in the ears, seizures, severe headache or dizziness, severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea, severe vomiting, shortness of breath, sudden or unexplained weight gain, swelling of hands, legs, or feet, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual joint or muscle pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, vision or speech changes, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Storage
Store Relafen at 77 °F (25 °C). Store away from heat, moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Relafen out of the reach of children.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of Relafen overdose are – decreased urination, loss of consciousness, seizures, severe dizziness or drowsiness, severe nausea or stomach pain, slow or troubled breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

More Information
Relafen may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may worsen if Relafen is taken with alcohol or certain other medications. Use Relafen with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to this drug. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Relafen should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Disclaimer
This is only general information, it does not cover all directions, drug integrations or precautions. You should not rely on it for any purpose; it does not contain any specific instructions for a particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information. We`re not responsible for any damage.