DO NOT take Lodine if you:

• are allergic to etodolac or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• have severe heart failure
• have a peptic ulcer (a small erosion or hole in the stomach or duodenum) or bleeding in your stomach, or have had two or more episodes of peptic ulcers, stomach bleeding or perforation.
• have had an allergic reaction or asthmatic type reaction (e.g. wheezing, itching or skin rash) after taking aspirin, Lodine or another NSAID
• have hepatic failure and renal failure
• are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast feeding
• have previously taken similar medicines classed as NSAIDs and suffered with bleeding from the stomach or bowel.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lodine.

• If you suffer from kidney, heart or liver disease, or a blood disorder, especially if you are also taking diuretics (water tablets). The dose should be as low as possible and you should have regular checks
• If you are already on long-term therapy with a medicine other than Lodine, since your doctor will want to arrange regular check-ups, especially if you are elderly
• If you suffer from fluid retention, (swelling of legs, ankles or feet)
• If you suffer from high blood pressure or heart failure
• If you suffer from, or have ever suffered from, asthma or breathing difficulties
• If you have heart problems, previous stroke or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (for example if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker)

Medicines such as Lodine may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment.

If you have heart problems, previous stroke or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (for example if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker) you should discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious gastrointestinal side effects such as bleeding, ulceration and perforation can occur at any time with or without warning symptoms in patients treated with NSAIDs. If any sign of gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, Lodine should be stopped immediately.

Children

Lodine is not recommended for use in children.

Other medicines and Lodine

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

• warfarin – for blood thinning
• ciclosporin – following transplantation
• digoxin – for heart problems
• lithium – for mental illness
• methotrexate – used to treat conditions such as psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis
• corticosteroids (such as prednisolone)
• quinolone antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin
• aspirin
• other NSAIDs e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac
• drugs to control high blood pressure
• mifepristone(a drug to induce abortion) in the last 12 days

If you have a blood or urine test, tell your doctor that you are taking Lodine, as the drug may affect the results.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

You should inform your doctor if you have problems becoming pregnant. NSAIDs may make it more difficult to become pregnant.

Do not take Lodine if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy is not known. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor.

Lodine should not be used if you are breast-feeding. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use during breast-feeding unless considered essential by your doctor.

Driving and using machines

Lodine may cause dizziness, drowsiness or abnormal vision. If you find that you are affected in this way, you should not drive or operate machinery whilst taking Lodine.

Lodine contains lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Lodine contains sodium

This medicine contains 34 mg sodium per tablet. This is equivalent to 1.7 % of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.