An NSAID for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Nabumetone
An NSAID used mainly for the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, taken once a day.
What is Nabumetone?
Nabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve the pain, swelling and stiffness of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a prodrug, converted by the liver into its active form, and is usually taken once a day. Like all NSAIDs it can affect the stomach, kidneys and heart, so it is used at the lowest effective amount for the shortest time.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Nabumetone — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Nabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used mainly to ease the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a prodrug: the tablet itself is inactive and is converted by the liver into the active medicine, which works through the body's anti-inflammatory pathways. It is typically taken once a day and, like all NSAIDs, balances good pain relief against effects on the stomach, kidneys and heart.
How it works
Once absorbed, nabumetone is changed by the liver into its active form, which blocks the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These enzymes make prostaglandins, the messengers that produce pain, swelling and fever at sites of inflammation, so reducing them relieves arthritis symptoms. Because the same enzymes help protect the stomach and support the kidneys and clotting, blocking them also explains the typical NSAID side effects, though nabumetone is thought to be relatively gentler on the stomach.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Beecham (now part of GlaxoSmithKline).
Nabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) introduced in the late 1980s. It is a 'prodrug', meaning it is inactive when swallowed and is converted by the liver into its active form, which is thought to be a little gentler on the stomach than some older NSAIDs.
What it treats
Conditions Nabumetone is used for
Practical use
How to take Nabumetone
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it with or just after food, often in the evening, as advised by your prescriber.
- It is usually taken once a day — follow the exact instructions you are given.
- Use the lowest amount that controls your symptoms for the shortest time needed.
- Do not take other anti-inflammatory painkillers at the same time, including over-the-counter ibuprofen or aspirin taken for pain.
- Report black or tarry stools, vomiting blood or severe stomach pain straight away.
- Tell your prescriber if you notice ankle swelling, breathlessness or that you are passing much less urine.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Nabumetone
Advantages
- Effective for the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Simple once-daily routine suits long-term use in arthritis.
- As a prodrug activated in the liver, it may be a little gentler on the stomach than some older NSAIDs.
Disadvantages
- Still carries the usual NSAID risks of stomach irritation, ulcers and bleeding, just generally to a lesser degree.
- Can affect the kidneys and slightly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Relies on the liver to activate it, so it is used cautiously in liver disease.
- Not suitable for everyone, including people with active ulcers, severe heart, kidney or liver problems, or NSAID allergy.
Practical use
Good to know
Nabumetone is usually taken once a day and is often taken in the evening. It should be taken with or after food, and it is not used alongside other NSAIDs (including over-the-counter ibuprofen or aspirin taken for pain). Although it may be a little gentler on the stomach than some older NSAIDs, it still carries the usual NSAID risks to the stomach, kidneys and heart, so the lowest effective amount is used for the shortest time, with extra care in older people and those with heart, kidney or stomach problems.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with a current or past stomach or duodenal ulcer, or previous bleeding or perforation linked to NSAIDs.
- People with severe heart failure, severe kidney or liver impairment, or a history of asthma, hives or swelling triggered by aspirin or other NSAIDs.
- Women from around the middle of pregnancy (about 20 weeks) onwards, and especially in the last three months (MHRA advice — NSAIDs can affect the baby's circulation/kidneys and fluid around the baby), and used cautiously in older people and those with heart or circulation disease.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure and signs of fluid retention
- Kidney function, particularly in older people or those on blood-pressure medicines
- Any signs of stomach bleeding, with regular review of the need to continue
Side effects
- Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea and, more seriously, stomach ulcers or bleeding.
- Fluid retention with ankle swelling, raised blood pressure, and a small increase in the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Effects on the kidneys, headache or dizziness, and rarely skin reactions.
Key interactions
- Other NSAIDs and aspirin (for pain) — combining them increases the risk of stomach bleeding.
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin or DOACs, antiplatelets, SSRIs and steroids all add to the risk of bleeding.
- Reduces the effect of, and adds kidney strain to, blood-pressure medicines and diuretics (especially ACE inhibitors and ARBs); also raises levels of lithium and methotrexate.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth; a dispersible (liquid) form is also available.
Answers
Nabumetone: frequently asked questions
What is nabumetone mainly used for?
It is used to relieve the pain, swelling and stiffness of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. As an anti-inflammatory it works on the processes that cause joint pain and inflammation, and a simple once-daily routine suits long-term use in arthritis.
Is nabumetone gentler on the stomach than other NSAIDs?
It may be a little gentler because it is a prodrug activated in the liver rather than directly irritating the stomach. However, it still carries a real risk of stomach irritation, ulcers and bleeding, so it is taken with food and any black stools, vomiting blood or severe stomach pain should be reported straight away.
Can I take nabumetone with ibuprofen?
No. Both are NSAIDs, and taking two together increases the risk of stomach bleeding without adding benefit. Avoid over-the-counter ibuprofen or aspirin taken for pain while on nabumetone, and check with a pharmacist before buying any painkiller.
Why is it usually taken in the evening?
Taking it once a day, often in the evening with food, gives steady relief over the following day and can help with morning stiffness. Follow the exact timing your prescriber recommends, and take it with or just after food to protect the stomach.
Is nabumetone safe for my heart and kidneys?
Like all NSAIDs, it can cause fluid retention, raise blood pressure, slightly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and reduce kidney function. It is used at the lowest effective amount for the shortest time, with caution in older people and those with heart, circulation or kidney problems.
The wider class
About NSAIDs
Nabumetone belongs to the nsaids class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF: Nabumetone.
- NICE CKS: Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs).
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