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- $Unique_ID{BRK03285}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{phenylbutazone}
- $Subject{Butazolidin Geigy Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
- phenylbutazone inflammation pain redness swelling arthritis thrombophlebitis
- mechanism sensitivity pain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- phenylbutazone
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Butazolidin (Geigy)
- phenylbutazone (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- phenylbutazone
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (100 mg)
- Capsules (100 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Phenylbutazone tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature
- in tightly closed containers.
-
- USES
-
- Phenylbutazone is used to reduce inflammation (pain, redness, and
- swelling) due to arthritis or thrombophlebitis when other anti-inflammatory
- agents have been unsuccessful. It is not clearly understood how
- phenylbutazone works, but it is thought to act by interfering with the body's
- inflammatory mechanism or by decreasing the sensitivity of the body's pain
- mechanism.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take phenylbutazone with food or
- with a full glass of water or milk. Ask your doctor if you can take
- phenylbutazone with an antacid.
- Phenylbutazone tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not break or crush
- them.
- If you miss a dose of this medication and you are taking it once or twice
- a day, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
- the next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return
- to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
- If you are taking phenylbutazone three or more times per day and you miss
- a dose, take the missed dose right away (if you remember within an hour of the
- correct time); then take the next dose as scheduled. If more than an hour has
- passed, however, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your
- regular schedule. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness, gas,
- headache, heartburn, indigestion, irritability, nausea, numbness, vomiting, or
- weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
- medication.
- You may experience constipation when taking this drug. To relieve
- constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and
- vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more
- water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- bloody or black, tarry stools; blurred vision; confusion; depression;
- difficulty in breathing; difficulty in hearing; difficult or painful
- urination; fatigue; fever; itching; mouth sores; rash; ringing in the ears;
- severe abdominal pain; sore throat; swelling of the ankles; tremors; unusual
- bleeding or bruising; weight gain of more than three pounds within a week; or
- yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Phenylbutazone interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. It can increase the kidney side effects of penicillamine; increase
- skin reactions to chloroquine, gold compounds, and hydroxychloroquine; and
- increase the effects on the blood of antineoplastic agents (anticancer
- medicines), chloramphenicol, colchicine, gold compounds, pyrimethamine, and
- trimethoprim.
- 2. The gastrointestinal side effects of phenylbutazone analgesic can be
- increased by the use of alcohol or anti-inflammatory medications.
- 3. Phenylbutazone can decrease the blood levels and effectiveness of
- digitoxin, hexobarbital, and cortisone.
- 4. Cholestyramine can decrease the absorption of phenylbutazone from the
- gastrointestinal tract, which can decrease its effectiveness.
- 5. The active blood levels and side effects of oral anticoagulants (blood
- thinners, such as warfarin), insulin, oral antidiabetic medicines, sulfonamide
- antibiotics, sodium valproate, methotrexate, sulfonylurea drugs, and phenytoin
- can possibly be increased by the use of phenylbutazone.
- 6. Phenylbutazone can decrease the elimination of lithium through the
- kidneys, which can lead to an increased risk of side effects.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Be sure to tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you
- have had to any medications, especially to phenylbutazone or other
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as aspirin, diclofenac,
- diflunisal, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen,
- meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxyphenbutazone, sulfinpyrazone,
- sulindac, or tolmetin).
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had any
- of the following medical disorders: anemia, blood disorders, heart disease,
- hypertension, inflamed salivary glands, kidney disease, liver disease, mouth
- sores, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, polymyalgia rheumatica, stomach problems,
- temporal arteritis, or thyroid disease.
- * Use of this drug has been associated with leukemia, although there is
- no definite proof that it causes the disease.
- * If phenylbutazone makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery. Also, be especially cautious going up and
- down stairs.
- * Because phenylbutazone has been shown to prolong your bleeding time, it
- is very important that you tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking
- this medication before having surgery or any other type of medical or dental
- treatment.
- * This medication has been shown to cause serious blood disorders.
- Therefore, it should never be used for trivial aches or pains.
- * This drug should be used for a short time only. Follow your doctor's
- directions exactly, and never exceed the recommended dosage.
- * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
- (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (shortness of breath,
- rash, or fainting) in certain susceptible individuals.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although studies in
- humans have not been conducted, unwanted effects have been observed in the
- offspring of animals that received large doses of this drug during pregnancy.
- If taken late in pregnancy, phenylbutazone can also prolong labor. Also, tell
- your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small doses of
- phenylbutazone pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-