PRECAUTIONS
General
TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) cannot be expected to substitute for corticosteroids or to treat corticosteroid insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation of corticosteroids may lead to disease exacerbation. Patients on prolonged corticosteroid therapy should have their therapy tapered slowly if a decision is made to discontinue corticosteroids.
The pharmacological activity of TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) in reducing fever and inflammation may diminish the utility of these diagnostic signs in detecting complications of presumed noninfectious, painful conditions.
Ophthalmological Effects
Because of ocular changes observed in animals and of reports of adverse eye findings with NSAIDs, it is recommended that patients who develop visual disturbances during treatment with TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) have ophthalmologic evaluations.
Hepatic Effects
Borderline elevations of one or more liver tests may occur in up to 15% of
patients taking NSAIDs, including TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) . These laboratory abnormalities may
progress, may remain unchanged, or may be transient with continuing therapy.
Notable elevations of ALT or AST (approximately three or more times the upper
limit of normal) have been reported in approximately 1% of patients in clinical
trials with NSAIDs. In addition, rare cases of severe hepatic reactions, including
jaundice and fatal fulminant hepatitis, liver necrosis, and hepatic failure,
some of them with fatal outcomes have been reported.
A patient with symptoms and/or signs suggesting liver dysfunction, or in whom an abnormal liver test has occurred should be evaluated for evidence of the development of a more severe hepatic reaction while on therapy with TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) . If clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop, or if systemic manifestations occur (e.g., eosinophilia, rash, etc.), TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) should be discontinued.
Hematological Effects
Anemia is sometimes seen in patients receiving NSAIDs, including TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) . This may be due to fluid retention, occult or gross GI blood loss, or an incompletely described effect upon erythropoiesis. Patients on long-term treatment with NSAIDs, including TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) , should have their hemoglobin or hematocrit checked if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of anemia. NSAIDs inhibit platelet aggregation and have been shown to prolong bleeding time in some patients. Unlike aspirin, their effect on platelet function is quantitatively less, of shorter duration, and reversible. Patients receiving TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) who may be adversely affected by alterations in platelet function, such as those with coagulation disorders or patients receiving anticoagulants, should be carefully monitored.
Preexisting Asthma
Patients with asthma may have aspirin-sensitive asthma. The use of aspirin in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma has been associated with severe bronchospasm which can be fatal. Since cross reactivity, including bronchospasm, between aspirin and other NSAIDs has been reported in such aspirin-sensitive patients, TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) should no t be administered to patients with this form of aspirin sensitivity and should be used with caution in patients with preexisting asthma.
Information for Patients
Patients should be informed of the following information before initiating
therapy with an NSAID and periodically during the course of ongoing therapy.
Patients should also be encouraged to read the NSAID Medication Guide that accompanies
each prescription dispensed.
- TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) , like other NSAIDs, may cause serious CV side effects, such as
MI or stroke, which may result in hospitalization and even death. Although
serious CV events can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert
for the signs and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, slurring
of speech, and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative
signs or symptoms. Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up
(see WARNINGS: Cardiovascular Effects).
- TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) , like other NSAIDs, can cause GI discomfort and, rarely, serious
GI side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, which may result in hospitalization
and even death. Although serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur
without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms
of ulcerations and bleeding, and should ask for medical advice when observing
any indicative signs or symptoms including epigastric pain, dyspepsia, melena,
and hematemesis Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up
(see WARNINGS: Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects-Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding,
and Perforation).
- TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) , like other NSAIDs, can cause serious skin side effects such as
exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, and TEN, which may result in hospitalizations
and even death. Although serious skin reactions may occur without warning,
patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of skin rash and blisters,
fever, or other signs of hypersensitivity, such as itching, and should ask
for medical advise when observing any indicative signs or symptoms. Patients
should be advised to stop the drug immediately if they develop any type of
rash and contact their physicians as soon as possible.
- Patients should promptly report signs or symptoms of unexplained weight
gain or edema to their physicians.
- Patients should be informed of the warning signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity
(e.g., nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pruritus, jaundice, right upper quadrant
tenderness, and "flu- like" symptoms). If these occur, patients should be
instructed to stop therapy and seek immediate medical therapy.
- Patients should be informed of the signs of an anaphylactoid reaction (e.g.,
difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat). If these occur, patients
should be instructed to seek immediate emergency help (see WARNINGS).
- In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) should be avoided because
it will cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Laboratory Tests
Because serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur without warning symptoms, physicians should monitor for signs or symptoms of GI bleeding. Patients on long-term treatment with NSAIDs should have their CBC and a chemistry profile checked periodically. If clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver or renal disease develop, systemic manifestations occur (e.g., eosinophilia, rash, etc.) or if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen, TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) should be discontinued.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Tolmetin sodium did not possess any carcinogenic liability in the following long-term studies: a 24-month study in rats at doses as high as 75 mg/kg/day, and an 18- month study in mice at doses as high as 50 mg/kg/day.
No mutagenic potential of tolmetin sodium was found in the Ames Salmonella-Microsomal Activation Test.
Reproductive studies revealed no impairment of fertility in animals. Effects
on parturition have been shown, however, as with other prostaglandin inhibitors.
This information is detailed in the Pregnancy section.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C
Reproduction studies in rats and rabbits at doses up to 50 mg/kg (1.5 times the maximum clinical dose based on a body weight of 60 kg) revealed no evidence of teratogenesis or impaired fertility due to TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) . However, animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response. There are no adequate and well- controlled studies in pregnant women. TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nonteratogenic Effects
Because of the known effects of NSAIDs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure
of ductus arteriosus), use during pregnancy (particularly late pregnancy) should
be avoided.
Labor and Delivery
In rat studies with NSAIDs, as with other drugs known to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, an increased incidence of dystocia, delayed parturition, and decreased pup survival occurred. The effects of TOLECTIN (tolmetin sodium) on labor and delivery in pregnant women are unknown.
Nursing Mothers
Tolmetin sodium has been shown to be secreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from tolmetin sodium, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have
not been established.
Geriatric Use
As with any NSAIDs, caution should be exercised in treating the elderly (65
years and older).