Medication Guide for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

(See the end of this Medication Guide for a list of prescription NSAID medicines.)

What is the most important information I should know about medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?

NSAID medicines may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that

can lead to death. This chance increases:

• with longer use of NSAID medicines
• in people who have heart disease

NSAID medicines should never be used right before or after a heart surgery

called a “coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).”

NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and

intestines at any time during treatment. Ulcers and bleeding:

• can happen without warning symptoms
• may cause death

The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with:

• taking medicines called “corticosteroids” and “anticoagulants”
• longer use
• smoking
• drinking alcohol
• older age
• having poor health

NSAID medicines should only be used:

• exactly as prescribed
• at the lowest dose possible for your treatment
• for the shortest time needed

What are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?

NSAID medicines are used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as:

• different types of arthritis
• menstrual cramps and other types of short-term pain

Who should not take a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)?

Do not take an NSAID medicine:

• if you had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAID medicine
• for pain right before or after heart bypass surgery

Tell your healthcare provider:

• about all your medical conditions.
• about all of the medicines you take. NSAIDs and some other medicines can interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Keep a list of your medicines to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
• if you are pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by pregnant women late in their pregnancy.
• if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor.

Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• slurred speech
• chest pain
• swelling of the face or throat
• weakness in one part or side of your body

Stop your NSAID medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• nausea
• there is blood in your bowel movement or it is black and sticky like tar
• more tired or weaker than usual
• itching
• your skin or eyes look yellow
• unusual weight gain
• stomach pain
• skin rash or blisters with fever
• flu-like symptoms
• swelling of the arms and legs, hands and feet
• vomit blood

These are not all the side effects with NSAID medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about NSAID medicines.

Other information about Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

• Aspirin is an NSAID medicine but it does not increase the chance of a heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
• Some of these NSAID medicines are sold in lower doses without a prescription (over- the-counter). Talk to your healthcare provider before using over-the- counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured by:
Glenmark Generics Ltd
Colvale-Bardez, Goa 403 513
India

Manufactured for:

Glenmark Generics Inc., USA
Mahwah, NJ 07430

January 2009