Etodolac Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 20, 2023.

Applies to etodolac: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet; capsule; tablet, extended release)

NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal.

This risk may be increased in patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Etodolac is contraindicated for the treatment of perioperative pain in the setting of CABG surgery.

NSAIDs can also cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events especially in the elderly, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.

Serious side effects of etodolac

Along with its needed effects, etodolac may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking etodolac:

More common side effects

• belching
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• chest pain
• cloudy urine
• constipation
• cough or hoarseness
• decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dryness or soreness of throat
• feeling of indigestion
• fever or chills
• headache
• increased bleeding time
• itching, skin rash
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea and vomiting
• nervousness
• pain in the chest below the breastbone
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pounding in the ears
• runny nose
• slow or fast heartbeat
• stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain
• swelling
• tender, swollen glands in neck
• trouble in swallowing
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• voice changes
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight loss

Symptoms of overdose

• agitation
• change in consciousness
• confusion
• depression
• difficult or trouble breathing
• hives
• hostility
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• muscle twitching
• pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• sleepiness
• stupor
• swelling of face, ankles, or hands
• tightness in chest
• trouble breathing
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects of etodolac

Some side effects of etodolac may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• bloated, full feeling
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
• excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
• hearing loss
• lack or loss of strength
• passing gas
• sneezing
• stuffy nose

For healthcare professionals

Applies to etodolac: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal in nature and included dyspepsia, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and vomiting.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, vomiting, abdominal distention, epigastric pain, stools abnormal, gastritis, melena
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, ulcerative stomatitis, eructation, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, perforation, esophagitis, esophageal stricture, cardiospasm, colitis, GI discomfort, burning sensation, gastralgia, upper abdominal discomfort, glossitis, hematemesis, rectal bleeding, heartburn, indigestion, ulcerative colitis exacerbated, Crohn's disease exacerbated
• Postmarketing reports: Intestinal ulceration^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Hypertension, congestive heart failure, flushing, palpitations, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, cardiac failure
• Postmarketing reports: Necrotizing vasculitis^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal function abnormal
• Frequency not reported: Renal calculus, interstitial nephritis, renal impairment, nephrotoxicity, nephrotic syndrome, renal failure
• Postmarketing reports: Renal insufficiency, renal papillary necrosis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• Frequency not reported: Syncope, somnolence, cerebrovascular accident, paresthesia, taste perversion, loss of taste, convulsion, coma, tremor, drowsiness, optic neuritis, stroke^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Frequency not reported: Ecchymosis, angioedema, sweating, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, vesiculobullous rash, hyperpigmentation, alopecia, maculopapular rash, photosensitivity, skin peeling, purpura, erythema multiforme
• Postmarketing reports: Allergic vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Liver enzymes increased
• Frequency not reported: Bilirubinuria, hepatitis, jaundice
• Postmarketing reports: Cholestatic hepatitis, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, duodenitis, hepatic failure, liver necrosis, fatal fulminant hepatitis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, bleeding time increased
• Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, leukopenia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, nervousness
• Frequency not reported: Insomnia, confusion, anxiety, dreams abnormal, hallucination, disorientation^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, urinary frequency
• Frequency not reported: Cystitis, hematuria, leukorrhea, uterine bleeding irregular, oliguria, polyuria, proteinuria^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vision blurred
• Frequency not reported: Photophobia, transient visual disturbance, conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthma/aggravated asthma, bronchitis, bronchospasm, dyspnea, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, respiratory depression, pneumonia
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary infiltration eosinophilic^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia
• Frequency not reported: Muscle pain^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, tinnitus, fever, chills, asthenia, malaise, fatigue
• Frequency not reported: Serum creatinine increased, infection, weight abnormal, irritability, deafness, meningitis, vertigo, sepsis, death, weakness, aseptic meningitis
• Postmarketing reports: Thirst, BUN increased^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Allergic/hypersensitivity reaction, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction^[Ref]

Further information

Etodolac side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer