What is Acular?
Acular is a medication used to treat pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, and other types of injury. It belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acular works by reducing the production of substances that cause inflammation in the body.
Acular is available in oral tablet form. The usual adult dose is one or two tablets taken three or four times daily. Acular should be taken with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Acular include:
stomach upset
dizziness
headache
diarrhea
nausea or vomiting
Other possible side effects include:
rash or itching skin
ringing in the ears or hearing loss
changes in vision or blurred vision
trouble breathing or shortness of breath, especially with activity. If these symptoms occur, stop taking Acular and seek medical help immediately. These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Rare but serious side effects include: kidney problems, liver problems, seizure, high blood pressure, and low white blood cell count. If you experience any of these serious side effects, stop taking Acular and seek medical help immediately.
Acular can also increase the risk of bleeding. This risk is higher if you are also taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin). Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any blood thinners before starting Acular.
Drug interactions
Acular can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor about all other drugs, supplements, and treatments you are using before starting Acular.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril (Zestril) or captopril (Capoten)
angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan (Cozaar) or valsartan (Diovan)
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), or fluoxetine (Prozac)
beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor) or propranolol (Inderal)
corticosteroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone (Decadron)
diuretics (‘water pills’) such as furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone)
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
pain medications such as opioids or NSAIDs
This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all medications, herbs, and supplements you are taking before starting Acular.
Acular can also interact with certain laboratory tests. Be sure to tell your doctor and laboratory personnel that you are taking Acular before having any laboratory tests done.
Warnings and Precautions
Acular can cause serious side effects in some people. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before taking Acular:
asthma
kidney disease
liver disease
ulcers or a history of stomach bleeding
heart disease or high blood pressure
stroke or mini-stroke
bleeding disorders such as hemophilia
anemia (low red blood cell count)
a history of allergic reactions to NSAIDs, aspirin, or other medications
Do not take Acular if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Acular can pass into breast milk and may cause serious side effects in a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Acular if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Acular. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Dosage
Acular is available in oral tablet form. The usual adult dose is one or two tablets taken three or four times daily. Acular should be taken with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
Mechanism of Action
Acular works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that play a role in pain and inflammation. By reducing the production of prostaglandins, Acular can help to relieve pain and inflammation.
Pharmacokinetics
Acular is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. The peak plasma concentration is reached within 1-2 hours. Acular is widely distributed in the body and is highly protein bound. The elimination half-life of Acular is about 4 hours. Acular is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine.
Long-term effects
There are no known long-term effects of taking Acular. However, NSAIDs like Acular can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Acular before starting treatment.
Alternatives to Acular
There are many other NSAIDs available by prescription and over-the-counter. Some examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and celecoxib (Celebrex). Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of these and other medications before starting treatment.
