Tolmetin

Clinical usage

Tolmetin is applicable in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis, pain, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Mechanism of action

Although the mechanism of action of tolmetin is unknown, research involving humans and animals has shown that tolmetin does not achieve anti-inflammatory response by stimulation of the adrenal or pituitary gland, but it has shown tolmetin restrains prostaglandin synthetase in vitro and reduces plasma levels of prostaglandin E, possibly causing the anti-inflammatory response.

When tested in rats, tolmetin prevented experimentally stimulated polyarthritis and reduced inflammation. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis tolmetin was as effective as aspirin and indometacin, although the occurrence of mild gastrointestinal adverse effects and tinnitus was lower in patients treated with tolmetin than it was with aspirin-treated patients and the occurrence of adverse effects of the central nervous system was lower with tolmetin than it was with indomethacin.

Side effects

Tolmetin can increase the risk of heart or circulatory conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. It should not be taken shortly before or after coronary artery bypass surgery. Tolmetin can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal conditions such as perforation or bleeding, which can be fatal. Antacids can be taken with tolmetin to relieve stomachaches that often occur. Overdose can result in drowsiness, nausea, epigastric pain, and vomiting.

In October 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required the prescribing information to be updated for all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to describe the risk of kidney problems in unborn babies that result from low amniotic fluid. They recommend avoiding NSAIDs in pregnant women at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy.

References

References

1. "Tolmetin: MedlinePlus Drug Information".
2. (October 1976). "Tolmetin sodium, a new anti-arthritis drug: double-blind and long-term studies". Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
3. (1976–1977). "A double-blind crossover comparison of tolmetin sodium and phenylbutazone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis". Current Medical Research and Opinion.
4. (1977–1978). "Tolmetin in osteoarthrosis of the hip and knee: double-blind crossover trials". Current Medical Research and Opinion.
5. (1980). "Tolmetin sodium and indomethacin in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the hip: a double-blind crossover study". Current Medical Research and Opinion.
6. (June 1979). "Effects of tolmetin, paracetamol, and of two combinations of tolmetin and paracetamol as compared to placebo on experimentally induced pain. A double blind study". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmacy.
7. (July 1983). "Clinical use of tolmetin sodium in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a review". Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
8. "Tolmetin". DrugBank.
9. "Tolmetin". MedlinePlus.
10. (15 October 2020). "FDA Warns that Using a Type of Pain and Fever Medication in Second Half of Pregnancy Could Lead to Complications".
11. (21 July 2017). "NSAIDs may cause rare kidney problems in unborn babies".