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Lodine XL description. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) are used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis (rheumatism), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, Lodine XL does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it. Some of these medicines are also used to relieve other kinds of pain or to treat other painful conditions, such as: gout attacks; bursitis; tendinitis; sprains, strains, or other injuries; or menstrual cramps. Ibuprofen and naproxen are also used to reduce fever. Meclofenamate is also used to reduce the amount of bleeding in some women who have very heavy menstrual periods. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug can cause side effects, especially when it is used for a long time or in large doses. Some of the side effects are painful or uncomfortable. Others can be more serious, resulting in the need for medical care and sometimes even death. If you will be taking Lodine XL for more than one or two months or in large amounts, you should discuss with your doctor the good that it can do as well as the risks of taking it. Also, it is a good idea to ask your doctor about other forms of treatment that might help to reduce the amount of Lodine XL that you take and/or the length of treatment. One of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenylbutazone, is especially likely to cause very serious side effects. These serious side effects are more likely to occur in patients 40 years of age or older than in younger adults, and the risk becomes greater as the patient's age increases. Before you take phenylbutazone, be sure that you have discussed its use with your doctor. Also, do not use phenylbutazone to treat any painful condition other than the one for which it was prescribed by your doctor . Although ibuprofen and naproxen may be used instead of aspirin to treat many of the same medical problems, they must not be used by people who are allergic to aspirin. The 200-mg strength of ibuprofen and the 220-mg strength of naproxen are available without a prescription. However, your health care professional may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition. Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other strengths of ibuprofen and naproxen are available only with your medical doctor's or dentist's prescription. Why prescribed Lodine XL. Etodolac is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Short-acting etodolac (Lodine) also is used to relieve pain from other causes. Etodolac is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. How used Lodine XL. Etodolac comes as a tablet, a capsule, and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. To treat arthritis, the tablet and capsule are usually taken two to three times a day and the extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day with food. To relieve pain from other causes, etodolac is usually taken with food every 6 to 8 hours as needed. To help you remember to take etodolac, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take etodolac exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Keep the tablets in the original container until you are ready to use them. Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. If you are taking etodolac for arthritis, your doctor may start you on a low dose of etodolac and gradually increase your dose. Some brand names: - Indocin - Indocin SR - Lodine - Lodine XL - Meclomen - Medipren - Medipren Caplets - Midol IB - Mobic - Mobiflex - Motrin |