Diflunisal is a medication used to manage the pain of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. According to Drugs.com, it belongs to the set of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and it decreases the natural hormones in your body that lead to inflammation and pain. The National Library of Medicine says that the starting dose for diflunisal is 1,000 mg. Your doctor may then prescribe 500nmg every 12 hours thereafter.
Common Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, diflunisal commonly causes flatulence (gas), diarrhea, constipation, a headache and dizziness. It may also cause visual problems, tinnitis (ringing in your ears) and vomiting. Inform your doctor if these effects are continuous for three or more days. He may change your diflunisal dosage to decrease the prevalence of these common side effects.
Serious Side Effects
Drugs.com says that diflunisal's serious side effects include chest pain, decreased urination, fever, sore throat, nausea and stomach pain. It can cause slurred speech, unsteadiness, melena (black stools), bloody stools, blistering skin, convulsions, neck stiffness, a skin rash and muscle weakness. Other side effects include photosensitivity (a medical condition in which you are sensitive to sunlight exposure), yellowing of your skin, increased weight, vomiting, hemoptysis (vomiting up blood), bruising, paresthesias (numbness or tingling) and purple spots on your skin. MedlinePlus says that diflunisal can also cause trouble breathing, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), tachycardia and edema (swelling) of your arms, legs, feet, face, tongue or eyes. Get your doctor's assistance at once when these serious side effects appear.
Heart problems
The National Library of Medicine says that diflunisal can increase your chances of getting myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cardiovascular thrombosis, a condition in which blood clots can clog your blood vessels.
Other Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that diflunisal can cause pruritus (itching), peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal perforation, eructation (belching), gastrointestinal bleeding, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), hematuria (bloody urine), proteinuria (protein in your urine) and kidney problems. Diflunisal can affect your mental state and cause confusion, hallucinations and nervousness.
Miscellaneous Concerns
You should avoid diflunisal if you are allergic to it. Difficulty breathing, swelling of your tongue or face and skin welts can develop.
Avoid combining aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with diflunisal, as this can lead to potentially fatal anaphylaxis, a condition characterized by bronchospasm (wheezing and trouble breathing) and angioedema (swelling of your face, tongue or throat). It may also lead to fluid retention.
Drugs.com says that you should avoid diflunisal if you have stomach ulcers or bleeding, asthma, nasal polyps, heart disease, heart failure or high blood pressure. Diflunisal may worsen these conditions.
It is possible that diflunisal can pass into breast milk, so tell your doctor if you are nursing. Also, it is unclear whether diflunisal can harm your baby during pregnancy but tell your doctor if you are expecting.
You should avoid drinking alcohol with diflunisal. Alcohol can increase your chances of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Drugs.com says you should inform your doctor if you are taking methotrexate, lithium, cyclosporine, diuretics or warfarin. It may cause the aforementioned effects.
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