Until recently, nabumetone was widely prescribed as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The medication was used to treat pain caused by arthritis, as well as headaches, muscle aches, toothaches and menstrual cramps. Nabumetone worked by inhibiting the synthesis of certain pro-inflammatory compounds in the body.
In hepatic impairment, nabumetone is converted to the active compound 6-methoxy-2-naphtylacetic acid, which may cause hepatotoxicity. Elevated liver function tests and in some cases jaundice have been reported. NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients with preexisting hepatic impairment and should be discontinued if elevation of hepatic enzymes persist or worsen.
Nabumetone can interact with ACE-inhibitors and reduce the antihypertensive effect of these medications. ACE-inhibitors are often prescribed to patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney problems. If you are taking ACE-inhibitors with nabumetone, your doctor will likely decrease the dose of the ACE-inhibitor or switch to a different NSAID.
Nabumetone can cause serious side effects such as ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in people who have preexisting hepatic disease. It can also cause other adverse reactions such as rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, dizziness, heartburn and diarrhea. In pregnancy, nabumetone can cause fetal harm when taken in the first trimester. It can increase the risk of oligohydramnios and ductus arteriosus constriction in newborns. Therefore, it should not be used in pregnant women and should be discontinued if oligohydramnios or ductus arteriosus constriction are suspected. Moreover, nabumetone is contraindicated in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity and those who experience severe, potentially fatal allergic reactions to aspirin and other NSAIDs known as the aspirin triad.