Non Prescription Alternatives - Click Here

Clinoril is a powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) usually prescribed to treat chronic inflammation and pain in the joints. The conditions it's most commonly used to treat include: acute gouty arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis. (See arthritis and joint pain.) Other uses include the treatment of colon polyps and diabetic neuropathy.

This treatment is non-narcotic, and it has not been found to be either physically or mentally addictive in patients. It may, however, occasionally be mixed with a narcotic analgesic for greater efficacy. This medication should not be mixed with any over the counter pain medication, or any treatment not approved as safe by your doctor.

Clinoril is only available by prescription.

Clinoril Side Effects

Common Side Effects: Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fluid retention, headache, heartburn, nausea, ringing in ears, stomach pain.

Less Common Side Effects: Altered appetite, altered sense of taste, bloating, constipation, dry or sore mouth, fatigue, feeling of fullness (stomach), flushing, gas, insomnia, sensitivity to light, sweating, twitching, vomiting.

Adverse Side Effects: The following side effects are serious, and should be reported to your doctor. If they do not subside or if they worsen, seek medical attention immediately. Most of these side effects are rare.

Mild : Allergy (hives, itching, skin rash, swelling), anxiety, feelings of detachment, mouth sores, severe headache. Also, you may experience some sun sensitivity when taking NSAIDs. Stay out of direct sun, cover exposed skin with either clothing or sunblock, and do not attempt to get a tan.

Serious : Allergy (difficulty breathing, increased asthma reactions in asthmatics, mouth irritation, severe skin rash or other unusual skin conditon), black or bloody stools, blurred vision, bone marrow depression (bleeding, bruising, fatigue, fever, sore throat), change in hearing, confusion, depression, difficulty speaking, edema, extreme thirst, eye pain or irritation, hallucination, kidney damage (bloody or cloudy urine, painful urination, reduced urine volume), liver damage (whole body feeling of illness, yellow skin or eyes), loss of bladder control, neuritis (numbness, pain, or tingling in extremities), pancreatitis, peptic ulcer (with or without bleeding), rapid weight gain, slow healing, stiff neck or back, tender glands, swelling or tenderness with no known cause, unexplained cold-like symptoms, unusual or unexplained vaginal bleeding, worsening of congestive heart failure.

Cautions: This medication may not be suitable for all individuals. Speak to your doctor about any of the following conditions, any history of them, or any reason why you might be at risk for developing any of them.

• Alcohol or Drug Abuse: You may be at an increased risk of serious side effects if you addiction has not been controlled through treatment. Serious liver damage or severe GI bleeding may be more likely to occur, you may want to consider another treatment, or seek help with your condition.
• Allergy: Inform your doctor of any previous allergy to other NSAIDs, or any other pain medications, you may be at a greater risk for side effects. Aspirin allergic individuals should be especially cautious when using any NSAID.
• Asthma: Clinoril may worsen this condition. If you have aspirin sensitive asthma, you may be especially at risk.
• Bleeding Problems: Individuals with hemophilia or bleeding on the brain are at greater risk for internal bleeding with the use of NSAIDs.
• Colitis: Increased risk of bleeding, this problem may be worsened.
• Diabetes: Increased risk of serious side effects.
• Edema: Swelling of the face or extremities may worsen, and the risk of serious side effects is increased.
• Epilepsy: Consult with your doctor, and discuss possible interactions with present treatments. A related medication has been known to cause seizure in rare cases.
• Heart Disease: NSAIDs may worsen this condition, or unmask symptoms earlier than they would otherwise have appeared. If you are in an at risk group, have your doctor verify your cardiovascular health and monitor your treatment.
• High Blood Pressure: This conditon may be worsened. Consult with your doctor regarding possible interactions with any treatments you may currently use.
• Infection: Anti-inflammatories may mask signs of infection, inform your doctor if you think you may be developing any infection.
• Kidney or Liver Disease: Increased risk of serious side effects, including organ damage. Avoid alcohol, and increase water intake if your doctor prescribes this treatment.
• Lupus: Increased risk of serious side effects.
• Ulcer: Increased risk of bleeding, this problem may be worsened.

Non Prescription Alternatives - Click Here

Prescription NSAIDs like Clinoril may have serious side effects, and should be used with utmost caution in combination with other treatments. Never mix prescription pain medication with over the counter pain medication, or any other preparation which hasn't been specifically been approved by your doctor. Be aware that certain cold and flu treatments may contain painkillers that shouldn't be mixed with Clinoril.

Avoid combining this treatment with any medication whose label says "MAY CAUSE STOMACH BLEEDING."

• ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors - Medications like Accupril (quinapril), Aceon (perindopril), Altace (ramipril), Capoten (captopril), Lotensin (benazepril), Mavik (trandolapril), Monopril (fosinopril), Prinivil or Zestril (lisinopril), Univasc (moexipril), and Vasotec (enalapril) may be less effective when combined with NSAIDs.
• Alcohol - Never combine even small amounts of alcohol with NSAIDs. The combination is extremely toxic to the liver, and in rare cases, may cause liver failure. Also, the increased irritation of the stomach lining increases the risk of ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. Avoid using alcohol within a day of taking any NSAID, particularly the more powerful prescription strength varieties.
• Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin may build up in the body.
• Anticoagulant medication like Coumadin (warfarin) may increase the risk of internal bleeding, the dosage may need to be adjusted.
• Anturane (sulfinpyrazone) - Increased risk of side effects.
• Aspirin (salicylic acid) - Never mix aspirin with NSAIDs. There is a severe risk of internal bleeding involved.
• AZT (zidovudine) - This combination may lead to toxicity from either medication.
• Beta Blockers - Drugs like Blocadren (timolol), Cartrol (carteolol), Corgard (nadolol), Inderal (propranolol), Kerlone (betaxolol), Levatol (penbutolol), Lopressor (metoprolol), Normodyne (labetalol), Sectral (acebutolol), Sotacor (sotalol), Tenormin (atenolol), Trasicor (oxprenolol ), or Visken (pindolol) may be less effective when combined with NSAIDs.
• Bumex (bumetanide) - This medication may be less effective when combined with NSAIDs.
• Colestipol or Cholestyramine may reduce the effectiveness of sulindac.
• Depakene (valproic acid) - Increased risk of side effects.
• Dicumarol - Increased risk of serious side effects.
• Dilantin (phenytoin) - Dosage may need to be adjusted, this medication may build up in the body.
• Dolobid (diflunisal) - Increased risk of serious side effects.
• Edecrin (ethacrynic acid) - The effects of this medication may be decreased.
• Floxin (ofloxacin) - Increased risk of seizures.
• Fosamax (alendronate) - Increased risk of GI tract irritation.
• Heparins like Lovenox may increase the risk of side effects.
• Lasix (furosemide) - Effects may be decreased, your doctor may suggest a dosage adjustment.
• Lithium - Dosage adjustments of one of the medications may be necessary.
• Methotrexate - May build up to toxic levels.
• Narcotic pain medications like Codeine, Demerol (meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine, OxyContin (oxycodone), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine), are safe to mix with prescription NSAIDs. The mixed varieties that are compounded with other types of analgesics like Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen), or Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen) should not be used with prescription NSAIDs, or even with over the counter NSAIDs.
• Pain Medication - Any other type of pain medication, except for unmixed narcotics, whether prescription or over the counter should not be mixed with prescription NSAIDs. NSAIDs should never be mixed with each other, as the risk of internal bleeding is greatly increased.
• Persantine (dipyridamole) - Increased risk of side effects.
• Plavix (clopidogrel) - Increased risk of bleeding.
• Probenecid - Increased risk of side effects.
• Prograf (tacrolimus) - Effects may be increased, raises the risk of kidney damage.
• Protease inhibitors such as Agenerase (amprenavir), Norvir (ritonavir), and perhaps others, may require dosage adjustments when used with prescription NSAIDs.
• Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - Toxicity may occur.
• Thiazide Diuretics - May be less effective when taken with NSAIDs.
• Thrombolytics like streptokinase or TPA may build up in the body, dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Clinoril Dosages

Clinoril comes in 150 mg and 200 mg, hexagonal, yellow tablets. The 200 mg tablets are scored.

The typical dose for an individual 16 years or older is 150-200 mg twice daily. If your doctor should give you differing instructions, follow them exactly.

Clinoril Directions

Do not increase your dose of Clinoril without instructions from your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose of Clinoril and resume your regular schedule. Do not take double doses of this medication.

This medication should always be taken with food or a snack, and a full glass of water, to reduce stomach irritation. An antacid may be taken to further soothe the stomach. Avoid laying down for at least 30 minutes after taking, otherwise you may experience unnecessary stomach upset.

Inform your doctor, dentist, or anesthesiologist that you are taking Clinoril before any kind of surgery or medical test. Clinoril may alter your risk of bleeding during or after surgery.

Store Clinoril away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.

Keep Clinoril away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.

Clinoril may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or disorientation. Be cautious if you plan to drive or operate heavy machinery, avoid these activities if you find yourself feeling tired or experience slowed reactions.

Clinoril and Pregnancy

NSAIDs may cause complications if taken in the last trimester of pregnancy, and should be avoided completely during this time. Consult your doctor regarding use in early pregnancy, adequate studies of safety in humans have not been performed.

Clinoril and Children

This medication has not been adequately tested in individuals under the age of 12.

Clinoril and Seniors

Severe side effects such as swelling of the extremities or GI bleeding may be more common in individuals over the age of 65. The medication is also likely to remain in the body for longer. Reduced doses are suggested, your doctor should carefully evaluate whether or not another treatment can be given.

Non Prescription Alternatives - Click Here

Clinoril is a trademark of Merck

Back to top

The information contained in this document is provided for educational purposes and information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician or Health professional, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor, physician or Health professional can say if a medication, a drug alternative or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.