| Tolfenamic acid is well tolerated at the recommended dosage.The following side effects have been observed: Gastrointestinal: The most commonly-observed adverse events are gastrointestinal in nature. Peptic ulcers, perforation or GI bleeding, sometimes fatal, particularly in the elderly, may occur (see 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use). Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, melaena, haematemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, exacerbation of colitis and Crohn's disease (see 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use) have been reported following administration. Less frequently, gastritis has been observed. Pancreatitis has been reported very rarely.Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported following treatment with NSAIDs. These may consist of (a) non-specific allergic reactions and anaphylaxis (b) respiratory tract reactivity comprising asthma, aggravated asthma, bronchospasm or dyspnoea, or (c) assorted skin disorders, including rashes of various types, pruritus, urticaria, purpura, angioedema and, more rarely exfoliative and bullous dermatoses (including epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme).Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular: Oedema, hypertension and cardiac failure have been reported in association with NSAID treatment.Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke) (see 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).Other adverse reactions reported less commonly include:Renal: Nephrotoxicity in various forms, including interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and renal failure. Harmless dysuria in the form of smarting during urination may occur occasionally, most commonly in males. The occurrence is correlated with the concentration of a metabolite and is most probably due to a local irritating effect of the urethra. Increased consumption of liquid or reduction of the dose diminishes the risk of smarting. The urine may, due to coloured metabolites, become a little more lemon coloured.Hepatic: Abnormal liver function, hepatitis and jaundice.Neurological and special senses: Visual disturbances, optic neuritis, headaches, paraesthesia, reports of aseptic meningitis (especially in patients with existing auto-immune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease), with symptoms such as stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever or disorientation (see 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use), depression, confusion, allucinations, tinnitus, vertigo, tremor, euphoria, dizziness, malaise, fatigue and drowsiness.Haematological: Thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia.Dermatological: Bullous reactions including Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (very rare). Photosensitivity. | |