See also Warning section.
Before taking diflunisal, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin or other salicylates (e.g., choline salicylate), or other NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), liver disease, poorly controlled diabetes, stomach/intestine/esophagus problems (e.g., bleeding, ulcers), heart disease (e.g., history of heart attack), stroke, high blood pressure, swelling (edema, fluid retention), blood disorders (e.g., anemia), bleeding or clotting problems, growths in the nose (nasal polyps).
Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of NSAID medications, including diflunisal. Problems are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to prevent dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have a change in the amount of urine.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco may increase your risk for stomach bleeding, especially when combined with this medicine. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
The elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially stomach/intestinal bleeding and kidney problems.
This medication is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age. In addition, since diflunisal is related to aspirin, children and teenagers should not take diflunisal if they have chickenpox, influenza, or any undiagnosed illness without first consulting a doctor about Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage, trouble getting pregnant). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery.
This drug passes into breast milk. Therefore, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.