Drug interactions
Lithium + Nabumetone
Severity: Major
Lithium and Nabumetone: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
NSAIDs can raise serum lithium concentrations, risking lithium toxicity with tremor, confusion, vomiting and arrhythmias. Nabumetone has been reported to have a smaller effect than some NSAIDs, but the risk is still present.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Nabumetone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Nabumetone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandins reduces renal blood flow and lithium clearance.
What to do
Monitor serum lithium levels when starting, changing or stopping nabumetone and reduce the lithium dose if needed. Consider an alternative analgesic such as paracetamol.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Nabumetone
- Ketorolac intranasal + Nabumetone Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Nabumetone Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Nabumetone Major
- Acemetacin + Nabumetone Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Nabumetone Major
- Alteplase + Nabumetone Major
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Nabumetone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Lithium and Nabumetone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. NSAIDs can raise serum lithium concentrations, risking lithium toxicity with tremor, confusion, vomiting and arrhythmias. Nabumetone has been reported to have a smaller effect than some NSAIDs, but the risk is still present.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Nabumetone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum lithium levels when starting, changing or stopping nabumetone and reduce the lithium dose if needed. Consider an alternative analgesic such as paracetamol.
What other medicines interact with Nabumetone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nabumetone with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Nabumetone page.
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