Nimesulide

Indications

Nimesulide is used for: Acute pain, Extra-articular disorders, Osteoarthritis, Post-op pain, Primary dysmenorrhoea

Adult Dose

Oral Acute pain; Dysmenorrhoea; Osteoarthritis; Postoperative pain Adult: 100 mg bid. Use max of 15 days.

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Administration

Should be taken with food. Take after meals.

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity; GI bleeding, active peptic ulcer disease; severe renal and heart failure; hepatic impairment or known liver disease; coagulation disorders; pregnancy; children <12 yr.

Precautions

History of GI tract disease, infections, oedema, hypertension, elderly, lactation.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Additive hepatotoxic effects with known hepatotoxins: anti-convulsants (e.g. valproic acid), anti-fungals (e.g. ketoconazole), anti-tuberculous drugs (e.g. isoniazid), tacrine, pemoline, amiodarone, methotrexate, methyldopa, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. May decrease the oral bioavailability of furosemide and the natriuretic and diuretic response to furosemide. Increased risks of GI and hepatic adverse effects with other NSAIDs, including aspirin. May increase anti-coagulant effect of warfarin. Potentiates the action of phenytoin. May be displaced from binding sites with fenofibrate, salicylic acid, and tolbutamide. Interactions between NSAIDs and lithium, probenecid and ciclosporin, have been documented.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Nimesulide : Epigastric discomfort, heartburn or abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea; skin rash, pruritus, oedema, headache, dizziness, drowsiness; hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. bronchospasm, rhinitis, angioedema urticaria); GI haemorrhage/perforation; bullous/erosive stomatitis, purpura, thrombocytopenia, toxic epidermal necrolysis, haematuria, oliguria, and renal failure; increases in liver enzymes. Potentially Fatal: Fatal hepatitis, Stevens Johnson syndrome.

Mechanism of Action

Nimesulide is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic properties. It inhibits prostaglandin synthetase/cyclooxygenase, which limits prostaglandin production. Its cyclooxygenase inhibiting potency is intermediate, but is relatively selective for the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) thus the potential for gastric injury and intolerance is less. It is also a free radical scavenger, and helps protect against the tissue damage that occurs during inflammation.