Etodolac is an anti-inflammatory analgesic medication prescribed to alleviate painful symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This medication is a member of a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acts by preventing the body from producing an enzyme involved in the generation of pain and inflammation. Etodolac is administered orally (capsule, tablet extended-release tablet) as prescribed by your doctor. Discuss the drug warnings for etodolac with your doctor before beginning treatment with this medication.
Gastrointestinal Toxicity
If you receive prolonged treatment with etodolac, you can develop symptoms of gastrointestinal toxicity due to this medication. Such symptoms can include bleeding, ulcer formation or perforation (tearing) within the intestine. In a clinical trial cited by Daily Med, a drug information website provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an estimated 2 to 4 percent of patients treated with this class of medications for one year developed symptoms of gastrointestinal toxicity. If you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes or have a history of peptic ulcer disease, you are at an increased risk of experiencing gastrointestinal events during etodolac treatment.
Cardiovascular Events
Treatment with etodolac can increase your risk of developing a heart attack or stroke, warn health professionals at Medline Plus. Seek emergency medical care if you develop chest pain, slurred speech, difficulty breathing or weakness on one side of your body.
Anaphylactic Reactions
Certain people can experience a severe allergic response---called anaphylaxis---upon initial treatment with etodolac. Symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction include difficulty breathing, hives, dizziness, flushing of the skin, altered heart rate and loss of consciousness. Such reactions are more common among patients who have asthma, explains Daily Med. If you develop any symptoms associated with an anaphylactic reaction after receiving a dose of etodolac, seek emergency medical care. Left untreated, these symptoms can be life-threatening to certain people.
Kidney Disease
Prolonged treatment with NSAIDs can cause kidney damage in some patients. If you have advanced kidney disease, you should use etodolac only while under careful monitoring by your doctor.
Pregnancy
Use of etodolac should be avoided by pregnant women during the later stages of pregnancy. This medication can interfere with the development of an infant's heart during gestation. Additionally, it is unknown whether use of etodolac can affect onset of labor or delivery in women who are pregnant.
