What is Sulindac: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Sulindac overview

Generic Names:

  • Sulindac

Uses:

  • Treats pain, arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and bursitis. This medicine is an NSAID.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Central Nervous System Agent, Musculoskeletal Agent

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Sulindac come in

  • Tablet

What are common Sulindac doses?

  • Tablet 150MG

  • Tablet 200MG

Common Sulindac prescriptions

  • Sulindac
    150mg tablet

  • Sulindac
    200mg tablet

How to take Sulindac

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Sulindac

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Sulindac contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction (including asthma) to sulindac, aspirin, or other NSAID medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, or Motrin®. Do not use this medicine right before or right after having a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery.

Sulindac warnings

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy unless your doctor tells you to.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have a history of ulcers or other stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, aspirin-sensitive asthma, bleeding problems, eye or vision problems, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pancreas problems, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), or heart or circulation problems.

  • This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.

  • This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid medicine or a blood thinner).

  • This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

  • Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; red skin lesions; severe acne or skin rash; sores or ulcers on the skin; or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

  • Liver problems may occur while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; fever; headache; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; skin rash; swelling of the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.

  • Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

  • Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

  • Rapid weight gain.

  • Severe stomach pain.

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Skin rash or blisters with fever.

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Sulindac interactions

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), or a steroid medicine (such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®). Tell your doctor if you are using methotrexate (Trexall®), or a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®).

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), diflunisal (Dolobid®), dimethyl sulfoxide (RIMSO-50®), lithium (Eskalith®), or a diabetes medicine (such as glyburide, metformin, Actos®, or Glucotrol®).

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a blood pressure medicine such as candesartan, irbesartan, enalapril, lisinopril, losartan, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Atacand®, Avapro®, Benicar®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Hyzaar®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®.

  • Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.

  • This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

  • Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; red skin lesions; severe acne or skin rash; sores or ulcers on the skin; or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

  • Liver problems may occur while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; fever; headache; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; skin rash; swelling of the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.

  • Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

  • Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Sulindac side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.

  • Bloody or black, tarry stools.

  • Skin rash or blisters with fever.

  • Itching.

  • Rapid weight gain.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Flu-like symptoms.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Severe stomach pain.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness.

  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools.

  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Mild nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain.

  • Problems with your vision.

  • Dizziness or headache.