Rheumox

What is it?

A benzotriazine available as dark/light orange capsules marked WYETH and RHEUMOX containing 300mg of ezapropnzone dihydrnte. Also, KREUMOX TABLETS, film- coated, scored, oblong tablets containing 600mg of azapropazone dihydrate.

Medical Uses

Ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute gout which has not responded to other treatments.

Dosage

Adults, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis, 1.2g each day in 2 or 4 divided doses; elderly, 300mg every morning and night to a maximum daily dose of 600mg. Acute gout, adults, 1.8g each day in divided doses for up to 4 days, then 1.2g each day until symptoms improve. Elderly, 1.8g in divided doses for 24 hours, then 1.2g each day for up to 4 days, then gradually reducing to 600mg daily as symptoms improve.

Special Care

Elderly or patients who are debilitated, asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disorders, allergy to aspirin or anti-inflammatories. Patients taking drug long-term should be regularly assessed and should be advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight as far as possible.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe liver or kidney disease, blood changes, ulcerative colitis, previous stomach ulcer, porphyria (an inherited, metabolic disorder involving porphyrins).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Hypoglycaemics, phenytoin, methotrexate, cimetidine, lithium, anticoagulants, digoxin.

Known Side Effects

Fluid retention, sensitivity to light. Withdraw drug in the event of bleeding in gastrointestinal tract, positive Coombs test or alveolitis (inflammation of alveoli of lungs).