$Unique_ID{BRK01928}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DIFLUNISAL}
$Subject{Dolobid (Merck Sharp & Dohme)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Dolobid 250*0192801.scf
Dolobid 500*0192802.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DIFLUNISAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Dolobid (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
INGREDIENT:
     diflunisal
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (250 mg and 500 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored in a closed container at room
       temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight.

USES

     Diflunisal is used to treat the inflammation (pain, swelling, and
stiffness) of osteoarthritis and muscle or skeletal injury.  Diflunisal has
been shown to block the production of certain body chemicals, called
prostaglandins, that may trigger pain.  However, it is not yet fully
understood how diflunisal works.

TREATMENT

     You should take this drug immediately after meals or with food in order
to reduce stomach irritation.  Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets before
swallowing--they should be swallowed whole to lessen side effects and to
maintain their benefits for a full 12 hours.  Ask your doctor if you can take
diflunisal with an antacid.  If you are taking diflunisal to relieve
osteoarthritis, you must take it regularly, as directed by your doctor.  It
may take several days before you feel the full benefits of this medication.
Diflunisal does not cure osteoarthritis, but it will help to control the
condition as long as you continue to take the medication.
     It is important to take diflunisal on schedule and not to miss any doses.
If you do miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless more than six hours has passed.  In that case, do not take
the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not
double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty in sleeping, dizziness,
drowsiness, headache, heartburn, indigestion, light-headedness, loss of
appetite, nausea, nervousness, unusual sweating, or vomiting.  As your body
adjusts to the drug, these side effects should disappear.
     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).
     If you become dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly
from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     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; difficult or painful urination;
difficulty in breathing; palpitations; ringing or buzzing in the
ears or difficulty in hearing; skin rash, hives, or itching;
stomach pain; swelling of the feet; tightness in the chest;
unexplained sore throat and fever; unusual bleeding or bruising;
unusual fatigue or weakness; unusual weight gain; wheezing; or
yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Diflunisal interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), in combination with
diflunisal, can lead to an increase in bleeding complications.
     2. Aspirin, salicylates, or other anti-inflammatory medications may cause
increased stomach irritation.
     3. Antacids can lower blood diflunisal concentrations, decreasing its
effectiveness.
     4. Diflunisal can increase the blood concentrations and side effects of
acetaminophen.
     5. Diflunisal can increase or decrease some effects of
hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Before you take this medication, it is important to tell your doctor if
you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to diflunisal or any
chemically related drug (including aspirin or other salicylates, diclofenac,
fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, meclofenamate,
mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, piroxicam,
sulindac, or tolmetin).  Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever
had bleeding
     * problems, colitis, stomach ulcers or other stomach problems, epilepsy,
heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, kidney disease, liver disease,
mental illness, or Parkinson's disease.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment.
     * Because diflunisal can prolong your bleeding time, it is important to
tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this drug before having
surgery or any other medical or dental treatment.
     * Stomach problems are more likely to occur if you take aspirin regularly
or drink alcohol while being treated with this medication.  These should,
therefore, be avoided (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although studies in
humans have not been conducted, unwanted side effects (defects in the spine
and ribs) have been reported in the offspring of animals that received
diflunisal during pregnancy.  If taken during the last three months of
pregnancy, this drug can cause heart problems in the fetus; it can also
prolong labor.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.
Because diflunisal can pass into breast milk, breast-feeding while taking this
drug is not recommended.

----------------

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.
