Trade names Tolectin MedlinePlus a681033 CAS Number 26171-23-3 Formula C15H15NO3 Trade name Tolectin | AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph Routes ofadministration oral Molar mass 257.285 g/mol KEGG D02355 | |
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Legal status AU: S4 (Prescription only) Biological half-life 1-2 hours, next phase up to 5 hours ATC code M01AB03 (WHO) M02AA21 (WHO) | ||
Medical vocabulary what does tolmetin mean
Tolmetin /ˈtɒlmətᵻn/ is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the heterocyclic acetic acid derivative class. It is used primarily to reduce hormones that cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In the United States it is marketed as Tolectin and comes as a tablet or capsule.
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Clinical trials
Tolmetin is applicable in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis, pain, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Mechanism of action
Although the mechanism of action of tolmetin is unknown, research involving humans and animals has shown that tolmetin does not achieve anti-inflammatory response by stimulation of the adrenal or pituitary gland, but it has shown tolmetin restrains prostaglandin synthetase in vitro and reduces plasma levels of prostaglandin E, possibly causing the anti-inflammatory response.
When tested in rats tolmetin prevented experimentally stimulated polyarthritis and reduced inflammation. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis tolmetin restrained disease activity as efficiently as aspirin and indometacin, although the occurrence of mild gastrointestinal adverse effects and tinnitus was lower in patients treated with tolmetin than it was with aspirin-treated patients and the occurrence of adverse effects of the central nervous system was lower with tolmetin than it was with indometacin.
Side effects
Tolmetin can increase the risk of heart or circulatory conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. It should not be taken shortly before or after coronary artery bypass surgery. Tolmetin can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal conditions such as perforation or bleeding, which is fatal. Antacids can be taken with tolmetin to relieve stomachaches that often occur. Overdose can result in drowsiness, nausea, epigastric pain, and vomiting.
