Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) users, such as those who take diflunisal, may be more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than non-users. These occurrences could be fatal and could occur suddenly. For those who take NSAIDs for an extended period of time, this risk may be larger. If you have recently experienced a heart attack, avoid taking an NSAID like diflunisal unless your doctor specifically instructs you to. Inform your doctor if you smoke, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, or if you or anyone in your family has ever suffered from heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. If you suffer any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention right away: chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side or area of the body, or slurred speech.

If you will be receiving a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG; a form of heart surgery), you should not take diflunisal shortly before or right after the surgery.

NSAIDs, including diflunisal, can result in stomach or intestine ulcers, bleeding, or holes. These issues can arise at any point during therapy, without any prior symptoms, and they have the potential to be fatal. Long-term NSAID users, the elderly, persons in poor health, and those who consume substantial amounts of alcohol while taking diflunisal may be at higher risk. If you use any of the following medications, let your doctor know: Aspirin, other NSAIDs including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) are anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”); oral steroids like dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos); and aspirin. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft), as well as serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (Effexor XR). Moreover, let your doctor know if you now or previously had an ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, or any other bleeding disorders. Call your doctor immediately and stop taking diflunisal if you have any of the following symptoms: stomach pain, heartburn, vomiting of a bloody or coffee-ground-like substance, blood in the stool, or dark, tarry stools.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. In order to determine how your body is responding to diflunisal, your doctor will likely closely monitor your symptoms and run a number of tests. Inform your physician about your feelings so that they can prescribe the ideal dosage of medication to cure your problem with the least chance of negative side effects.

When you start taking diflunisal for the first time and every time you need a refill on your prescription, your doctor or chemist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet (Medication Guide). If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. To obtain the Medication Guide, you can also go to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer’s website.

Diflunisal is used to treat osteoarthritis (arthritis brought on by a breakdown of the joint lining) and rheumatoid arthritis pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Diflunisal can also be used to treat different types of mild to moderate pain. Diflunisal belongs to the group of drugs known as NSAIDs. It functions by halting the body’s production of a chemical responsible for inflammation, fever, and discomfort.

Diflunisal is available as an oral tablet. Every 8 to 12 hours, it is often taken with water, milk, or meals. Take diflunisal every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Use diflunisal as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.

You could need a few days or longer to experience all of the benefits of diflunisal. Till your doctor advises you to stop taking the drug, keep taking diflunisal.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you’re interested in using this medication for any other conditions.

Before taking diflunisal,

• If you have any drug allergies, including those to aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or any other NSAIDs, let your doctor and chemist know right once. For a list of the ingredients, ask your doctor or chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention the drugs in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section as well as any of the following: Tylenol (acetaminophen); benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, and other angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), and losartan are angiotensin II receptor antagonists (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), valsartan (in Exforge HCT), olmesartan (in Benicar, Azor, Benicar HCT, and Tribenzor), and telmisartan (in Micardis, Micardis HCT, and Twynsta); antacids, cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), water pills, indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex), lithium (Lithobid), methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall), and sulindac are some examples of common medications. Your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Inform your physician if you have or have ever had any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, as well as asthma, particularly if you also suffer from heart failure, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, liver disease, or renal illness.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. If taken around 20 weeks into the pregnancy or later, diflunisal may harm the foetus and cause issues with delivery. Unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor, avoid taking diflunisal during or after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Call your doctor if you conceive while taking diflunisal.
• If you are 75 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking diflunisal with your doctor. Never use this medication for a longer time or at a greater dose than what your doctor has prescribed.
• You should let your doctor or dentist know that you are taking diflunisal if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• If you suspect a virus, such as the flu or chicken pox, call your doctor. If you have a virus, avoid taking diflunisal, and never give diflunisal to a child who has a virus.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. 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.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Difficulties with eyesight

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section. Until you speak with your doctor, stop taking diflunisal.

• Uneasy stomach
• Respiratory issues or lack of breath
• Abdomen, lower legs, or foot and ankles swelling
• Extreme fatigue
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Itching
• Not enough energy
• Reduced appetite
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Flu-like signs
• Rash
• Blisters
• Cold or fever
• Light skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Simple bleeding or bruising
• Joint or muscle ache
• Rise in weight without cause
• Back ache
• Urine that is hazy, discoloured, or bloody
• Uncomfortable or challenging urinating
• Many trips to the toilet, especially at night
• Face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, or hands swelling
• Hoarseness
• Having trouble swallowing

Further negative effects of flunisal are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Uneasy stomach
• Diarrhoea
• Less urinations
• Rapid respiration
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Hearing ringing
• Coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking diflunisal prior to any laboratory test.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.