Comprehensive medication guide to Nabumetone including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$20 copay on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans; typically Tier 1 or Tier 2 preferred generic. Some plans require step therapy with another NSAID first.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$80 retail for a 30-day supply of generic nabumetone; as low as $16–$20 with GoodRx or SingleCare discount coupons at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Nabumetone is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Originally sold under the brand name Relafen — now discontinued — it is available today only as a generic, in 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1,000 mg oral tablets. The 1,000 mg strength is also available as Relafen DS.
The FDA approved nabumetone in December 1991. It is prescribed to adults with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis to help manage joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. As a once-daily (or occasionally twice-daily) medication, nabumetone is convenient for long-term arthritis management.
In 2023, nabumetone ranked as the 271st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with over 800,000 prescriptions filled annually.
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Nabumetone is a prodrug — an inactive compound that your liver converts into the active drug. After you take a nabumetone tablet, it is absorbed from your intestines and travels to the liver, where it is transformed into its active metabolite: 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA).
6MNA works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes — specifically preferring COX-2 over COX-1. COX-2 is the enzyme primarily responsible for producing prostaglandins that drive inflammation and pain in arthritic joints. By blocking COX-2, nabumetone reduces the production of these inflammatory chemicals, resulting in decreased joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Because the parent drug is not acidic and doesn't directly contact the stomach lining in active form, nabumetone has historically been associated with somewhat fewer gastric side effects compared to traditional acidic NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. However, it still carries the standard NSAID boxed warnings for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.
500 mg — tablet
Lower strength for patients requiring dose titration or those with renal impairment
750 mg — tablet
Intermediate dose option
1000 mg — tablet
Most commonly prescribed starting dose; also available as Relafen DS brand
Nabumetone is not on the FDA's drug shortage list as of 2026. Generic nabumetone is manufactured by multiple companies and is generally available in the U.S. market. However, individual pharmacy stocking is inconsistent — some locations carry only the 1,000 mg strength, and lower-volume generics like nabumetone may not be ordered frequently enough to guarantee availability on any given day.
Patients prescribed the 500 mg or 750 mg strengths may face more difficulty than those on 1,000 mg. The original Relafen brand has been discontinued, leaving all patients on generic-only options (except those taking the 1,000 mg Relafen DS brand still available).
If you're having trouble finding nabumetone at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have your medication in stock, then texts you the results — saving you hours on hold.
Nabumetone is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber with a valid DEA registration can write for it without special authorization. Prescriptions can be issued by phone, fax, or electronic order with no refill restrictions beyond those set by the prescriber.
Primary care physicians (family medicine and internal medicine)
Rheumatologists (for RA and complex arthritis management)
Orthopedic surgeons (for joint-related OA pain)
Geriatricians (for elderly patients with arthritis)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with prescribing authority
Telehealth providers can also prescribe nabumetone without restriction. For established arthritis patients needing a refill, telehealth platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, or Amazon Clinic are convenient options that avoid an in-person visit.
No. Nabumetone is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act. It is a prescription-only NSAID, meaning a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is required, but there are no special DEA prescribing requirements, refill limitations, or monitoring protocols beyond standard medical practice.
Any licensed prescriber — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe nabumetone. There are no restrictions on the quantity dispensed per fill, and prescriptions can be phoned in, faxed, or sent electronically to the pharmacy. Telehealth prescribing of nabumetone is also unrestricted.
Most patients tolerate nabumetone well. Common side effects include:
Diarrhea or loose stools
Heartburn, indigestion, or upset stomach
Nausea or abdominal cramping
Dizziness or headache
Skin rash or itching
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Mild swelling of the legs or ankles
GI bleeding: black/tarry stools, vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
Heart attack or stroke: chest pain, shortness of breath, one-sided weakness
Kidney problems: decreased urination, severe swelling
Liver damage: jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), dark urine, severe fatigue
Severe skin reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, TEN, DRESS — blistering or peeling skin with fever
Anaphylaxis: facial swelling, throat tightening, wheezing — call 911 immediately
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Meloxicam
Once-daily COX-2 preferential NSAID; most similar to nabumetone; widely available as generic; often the first-choice therapeutic substitute
Celecoxib
Selective COX-2 inhibitor (Celebrex); preferred for patients with high GI risk; available as generic; requires twice-daily dosing
Naproxen
Twice-daily NSAID available OTC (Aleve) and by prescription; lower cost; slightly higher GI risk at full doses; may have lower cardiovascular risk than some NSAIDs
Diclofenac
Available oral and topical (Voltaren gel, now OTC); topical form preferred for localized OA with minimal systemic exposure
Prefer Nabumetone? We can find it.
Warfarin
majorNabumetone displaces warfarin from protein-binding sites and increases anticoagulant effect; significantly higher GI bleeding risk; monitor INR closely
Methotrexate
majorNSAIDs reduce renal methotrexate clearance, raising drug levels and toxicity risk; avoid with high-dose methotrexate; use caution with low-dose
Ketorolac
majorConcurrent use with another NSAID is contraindicated; dramatically increases GI bleeding and renal toxicity
Lithium
majorNSAIDs reduce renal lithium clearance; can elevate lithium levels and cause toxicity (tremor, confusion, arrhythmia); monitor lithium levels
ACE inhibitors
moderateNabumetone may blunt antihypertensive effect and impair renal function; monitor blood pressure and kidney function
SSRIs/SNRIs
moderateCombined use increases GI bleeding risk through additive antiplatelet effects; caution with fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, duloxetine, etc.
Diuretics
moderateNSAIDs may reduce natriuretic effect; monitor for fluid retention and blood pressure changes
Tacrolimus
majorCo-administration increases nephrotoxicity risk; avoid or monitor renal function very closely
Nabumetone is a well-established, generic NSAID that has been treating arthritis pain for over 30 years. Its prodrug mechanism, once-daily dosing, and relatively favorable stomach profile make it a popular choice for patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — particularly those who have experienced GI discomfort on other NSAIDs.
While nabumetone is not currently in a declared national shortage, pharmacy-level availability gaps can be frustrating. The 500 mg and 750 mg strengths may be harder to find at some locations. Being proactive — refilling early, checking multiple pharmacies, or switching to mail-order — helps avoid medication gaps.
If you're struggling to find nabumetone in stock near you, medfinder can help. Simply provide your medication, strength, and location — medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf and texts you the results. No hold music, no wasted trips.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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