Nabumetone Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor

Like all NSAIDs, nabumetone carries both common manageable side effects and rare but serious risks. Understanding what to watch for — and knowing when to seek help — helps you take this medication safely. This guide covers the full side effect profile of nabumetone, from everyday digestive symptoms to the boxed warnings the FDA requires prescribers to discuss with every patient.

Nabumetone's Boxed Warnings: What You Must Know

The FDA requires nabumetone's prescribing information to carry two boxed warnings — the highest level of safety alert for prescription medications.

Cardiovascular risk: NSAIDs including nabumetone increase the risk of serious heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use and higher doses. Nabumetone is contraindicated for pain management right before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Gastrointestinal risk: NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during treatment and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients face the greatest risk.

Common Side Effects of Nabumetone

Most patients tolerate nabumetone well, especially compared to older NSAIDs like aspirin or indomethacin. The most frequently reported side effects include:

Diarrhea or loose stools

Indigestion, heartburn, or upset stomach

Nausea or abdominal pain

Dizziness or headache

Skin rash or itching

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Fluid retention or mild swelling in the legs/ankles

Taking nabumetone with food or milk can help reduce stomach side effects. If GI symptoms persist or worsen, contact your prescriber.

Serious Side Effects to Watch For

GI bleeding: Signs include black or tarry stools, bright red blood in stool, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, and severe or persistent stomach pain. Seek emergency care immediately.

Heart attack or stroke: Chest pain, shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, or sudden severe headache. Call 911 immediately.

Kidney problems: Decreased urination, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, unexplained weight gain. Report to your doctor promptly.

Liver problems: Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, severe fatigue. Rare but reported with nabumetone.

Serious skin reactions (SJS/TEN/DRESS): Painful blistering or peeling skin, fever with rash, red or purple skin lesions. Stop nabumetone immediately and seek emergency care.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): Hives, swelling of the face/throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing. Call 911 immediately.

Who Is at Highest Risk for Nabumetone Side Effects?

Your risk of serious side effects is higher if you:

Are 65 years or older (higher GI, kidney, and cardiovascular risk)

Have a history of stomach ulcers or GI bleeding

Have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes

Have reduced kidney or liver function

Take blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, DOACs) or corticosteroids

Use nabumetone at higher doses or for longer durations

Tips to Minimize Side Effects

Take nabumetone with food, milk, or antacid to reduce stomach irritation

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary

Avoid alcohol, which increases GI bleeding risk with NSAIDs

Don't take other NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) at the same time as nabumetone

Have your kidney function and blood pressure checked periodically if on long-term therapy

For more on what to avoid while taking nabumetone, see our guide on nabumetone drug interactions. And if you need help locating nabumetone at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help.