Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

When used for severe or continuing arthritis, this medicine must be taken regularly as ordered by your doctor in order for it to help you. This medicine usually begins to work within 1 week, but in severe cases up to two weeks or even longer may pass before you begin to feel better. Also, several weeks may pass before you feel the full effects of this medicine.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open, crush, break, or chew it.

Shake the oral suspension well before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

It is best to take this medicine with food.

Check with your doctor first before changing dosage forms (eg, capsules, suspension). These forms are very different from each other.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (capsules or suspension):
    • For acute gouty arthritis:
      • Adults—50 milligrams (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may decrease your dose as needed.
      • Children 15 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For acute painful shoulder (bursitis or tendinitis):
      • Adults—75 to 150 milligrams (mg) per day, divided into three or four equal doses, and taken for 1 to 2 weeks as determined by your doctor.
      • Children 15 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For mild to moderate acute pain:
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) three times a day, or 40 mg two or three times a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For moderate to severe ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis:
      • Adults—25 milligrams (mg) two or three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose by 25 or 50 mg per day, as needed. However, the total dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
      • Children 15 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.