Etodolac ER, Etodolac

Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA on May 24, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS

This article describes etodolac’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of etodolac.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of etodolac. To find out more about etodolac extended-release (ER)* oral tablet, see this article.

* ER means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Boxed warnings

Etodolac has boxed warnings about the risks of serious digestive problems and serious heart and blood vessel problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for etodolac” section below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as etodolac for certain conditions. Approved uses for etodolac are described below.

Use for certain forms of arthritis

Doctors may prescribe etodolac for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Doctors may also prescribe etodolac extended-release (ER)* oral tablet for juvenile arthritis in children ages 6 years and older. Etodolac may be prescribed as a long-term or short-term treatment.

With these forms of arthritis, you have inflammation (swelling and damage), pain, and stiffness in one or more joints in your body. You may have trouble doing your usual activities due to the symptoms in your joints.

Etodolac reduces inflammation and pain in your joints. This can help improve flexibility in your joints and make it easier to do your usual activities.

* ER means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Use for pain

Doctors may prescribe etodolac oral tablet or oral capsule for treating acute (short-term) pain. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Etodolac is particularly useful for relieving acute pain related to inflammation. The drug reduces both pain and inflammation.

Doctors may prescribe etodolac for relieving pain following injuries, surgeries, or other medical procedures. They may also prescribe it to relieve other types of acute pain, such as back pain, menstrual pain, or migraine headaches.

Etodolac may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of etodolac and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about etodolac’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for etodolac.

* To view etodolac’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with etodolac are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Etodolac’s mild side effects include:

• digestive side effects, such as indigestion (upset stomach), nausea, diarrhea, or gas
• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• feeling weak or unwell
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for etodolac” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of etodolac are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, etodolac’s serious side effects include:

• edema
• high blood pressure
• heart failure
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• blood problems, such as low red blood cell levels and problems with blood clotting
• serious skin reactions
• boxed warnings: risk of serious digestive problems and serious cardiovascular problems*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for etodolac” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about etodolac.

How does etodolac compare with other similar drugs, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac?

Etodolac, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren gel) all belong to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs reduce inflammation (swelling and damage) and relieve pain. They have similar uses and side effects. But there are some differences between them.

Etodolac and oral forms of diclofenac are only available with a prescription. They’re stronger than ibuprofen, which you can buy over the counter (OTC). Etodolac and oral diclofenac are also more likely to cause side effects than ibuprofen.

Etodolac only comes in oral forms that you swallow. But diclofenac also comes in a gel form that you apply to your skin, and you can buy it over the counter. This form of diclofenac may cause fewer side effects than oral forms of NSAIDs, including etodolac.

You should not take more than one NSAID at the same time. For example, while you’re taking etodolac, you should not take OTC ibuprofen as well. Taking these medications together can raise your risk of serious side effects.

To learn more about how etodolac compares with other similar drugs, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the drug that’s best for you.

Is etodolac a narcotic or a muscle relaxer?

No, etodolac is not a narcotic or muscle relaxer. Instead, it’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It relieves mild to moderate pain and reduces inflammation (swelling and damage).

“Narcotic” is a term that’s sometimes used for opioid-type pain relievers, such as oxycodone (Oxycontin) and morphine (MS Contin). These are strong pain relievers that are prescribed for severe pain. But unlike NSAIDs, they don’t reduce inflammation.

Muscle relaxers are sometimes prescribed to relieve pain caused by muscle spasms (tightening that you can’t control), such as some forms of back pain. Although NSAIDs such as etodolac may be prescribed for back pain, they don’t relax muscles.

Your doctor or a pharmacist can tell you more about how etodolac compares to narcotics and muscle relaxers.

Can etodolac cause weight loss?

Possibly. Weight loss wasn’t reported in studies* of etodolac. But weight loss and weight gain have been reported with etodolac since the medication has been on the market. It’s not known for sure whether etodolac caused these weight changes.

Etodolac can cause digestive side effects, such as nausea and indigestion (upset stomach), that could reduce your appetite. If you take etodolac for a long period of time, these side effects could lead to weight loss.

If you’re concerned about weight loss with etodolac, talk with your doctor.

* To view etodolac’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.

How does etodolac work? And how long does it take to start working?

Etodolac reduces inflammation (swelling and damage) and relieves pain. It works by stopping your body from making certain substances called prostaglandins that cause inflammation.

Etodolac starts working to relieve pain about 1–2 hours after you take a dose. But it can take up to 3 weeks of treatment before inflammation is noticeably reduced.

Your doctor can tell you more about what to expect with etodolac treatment.

The dosage of etodolac your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking etodolac

You’ll swallow etodolac, with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take etodolac. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of etodolac

You should not take more etodolac than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much etodolac, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Below, you’ll find information about etodolac’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of etodolac

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take etodolac, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for etodolac” section just below.

Warnings for etodolac

Etodolac should not be taken by certain people and should be taken cautiously by certain other people.

Boxed warnings

Etodolac has boxed warnings about the risk of serious digestive problems and serious heart and blood vessel problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Risk of digestive problems. Etodolac may cause serious digestive problems, such as bleeding, ulcers (small sores), or tears in your stomach or intestines. These side effects can be fatal. Serious digestive problems were rarely reported in studies* of etodolac.

Symptoms may include abdominal pain, black or tar-like stools, and vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds.

If you have symptoms of serious digestive problems, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor will likely recommend stopping etodolac and switching to a different pain reliever.

Risk of heart and blood vessel problems. Etodolac may cause serious heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attack or stroke. These side effects can lead to death. Serious heart and blood vessel problems were rarely reported in studies* of etodolac.

Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness on one side of your body, and trouble speaking.

If you have symptoms of serious heart and blood vessel problems, get emergency medical help right away. Your doctor will likely recommend stopping etodolac and switching to a different pain reliever.

* To view etodolac’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.

What to do if you think you’re having a heart attack or stroke

If you think you’re having a heart attack or stroke:

• Call 911 or your local emergency number
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital. You may lose consciousness (pass out).
• Wait for the paramedics to arrive. They can begin lifesaving treatment.

If you think you’re having a heart attack, ask the emergency dispatcher whether you should chew an aspirin. This may help break up a blood clot blocking blood flow to the heart muscle. If your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin for heart-related chest pain, then take a nitroglycerin tablet.

If you think you’re having a stroke, try to remember the time when the symptoms began. Tell the emergency dispatcher or paramedics. A clot-busting drug can be given within the first few hours. Try to stay calm and rest until help arrives.

For either a heart attack or stroke, ask someone to stay nearby while you wait for the paramedics. If you lose consciousness (pass out), CPR may be necessary.

Other warnings

Etodolac could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether etodolac is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for etodolac, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Etodolac can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to etodolac, any of its ingredients, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),* your doctor will likely not prescribe etodolac. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to etodolac, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

* Etodolac is an NSAID. Examples of other NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and etodolac

Information about etodolac, pregnancy, and breastfeeding is described below.

Etodolac and pregnancy

Etodolac should not be taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with etodolac.

Etodolac and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether etodolac should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for etodolac by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for etodolac, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes etodolac’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about etodolac or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What dosage of etodolac will I need?
• Can I take etodolac with my other medications?
• Is etodolac addictive?
• Is it safe for me to drive after taking etodolac?

• Etodolac- etodolac capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0fce1aea-5de2-4acb-8a21-2b775c4adb25/spl-doc?hl=etodolac
• Etodolac- etodolac tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/41bd86b9-2ef3-49a4-874e-fe8ac6891080/spl-doc
• Etodolac- etodolac tablet, film coated, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1e4824cc-4d52-4f20-9674-cfcb9ee66574/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.