[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/) › Nabumetone

# Nabumetone

## NSAIDs?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

## Pregnancy: avoid?

Avoid from week 20: from about 20 weeks NSAIDs can reduce amniotic fluid through their effect on the fetal kidney, and from about 30 weeks they can close the fetal ductus…

A non-acidic NSAID prodrug for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The liver turns it into 6-MNA, which lasts about a day; it can cause sun sensitivity.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/)

**Target**
Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2)

**Used for**
Osteoarthritis · Rheumatoid arthritis

**Key effects**
Diarrhoea · Dizziness and headache · Itching

**Monitor**
Blood pressure · Signs of gastrointestinal bleeding

**ATC**
M01AX01

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Nabumetone is a non-acidic prodrug. The liver converts it to 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6-MNA), an acidic and potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, chemically close to naproxen.

- Absorbed as a non-acidic prodrug
- The liver converts it to the active 6-MNA
- 6-MNA inhibits COX: less pain and inflammation

## Indications

- Osteoarthritis [Knee Osteoarthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/)
- Rheumatoid arthritis [Rheumatoid arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Diarrhoea, dyspepsia and abdominal pain
- Dizziness and headache
- Itching, rash and tinnitus

### Serious (rare, important)

- Heart attack and stroke (boxed warning of all NSAIDs)
- Bleeding, ulcer or perforation of the stomach or bowel, sometimes without warning
- Kidney injury and high potassium; worse heart failure and blood pressure
- Severe skin reactions and DRESS
- Photosensitivity and, rarely, pseudoporphyria

## Contraindications

- Asthma, hives or allergic-type reactions after aspirin or another NSAID
- Pain around coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Previous serious skin reaction to an NSAID

## Key interactions

**Warfarin, antiplatelets, SSRIs and SNRIs**
More bleeding, mainly in the gut

**ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics**
Weaker blood-pressure and diuretic effect; risk of kidney injury

**Lithium and methotrexate**
Higher levels and toxicity of lithium or methotrexate

## What is monitored

- Blood pressure, swelling and signs of heart failure
- Signs of gastrointestinal bleeding (black stools, vomiting blood, anaemia)
- Kidney function, potassium, liver tests and blood count in long-term use
- Skin reactions on sun-exposed areas

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time
- Kidney impairment can change the dose

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Avoid from week 20: from about 20 weeks NSAIDs can reduce amniotic fluid through their effect on the fetal kidney, and from about 30 weeks they can close the fetal ductus arteriosus too early.

## Nursing care

- Ask about ulcers, bleeding, kidney or heart disease and aspirin-sensitive asthma before the first dose
- Check blood pressure and fluid status during treatment
- Teach to report black stools, vomiting blood, chest pain, weakness on one side or rash
- Teach sun protection and to report skin blisters

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
Converted in the liver to the active 6-MNA

**Elimination**
Mostly in the urine as metabolites; kidney disease raises 6-MNA levels

**Half-life**
About 24 hours for 6-MNA

## Memory aid

Nabumetone: «NAB the liver, get 6-MNA» – a non-acidic prodrug; long-acting; mind the sun.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is nabumetone's active metabolite?

6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6-MNA).

## Where is nabumetone activated?

In the liver.

## Which skin problem is typical of nabumetone?

Photosensitivity (rarely pseudoporphyria).

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/nabumetone/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**Pregnancy: avoid**
Avoid from week 20: from about 20 weeks NSAIDs can reduce amniotic fluid through their effect on the fetal kidney, and from about 30 weeks they can close the fetal ductus…

## Connections

## Related drugs 4

- [Naproxen](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/naproxen/)
- [Meloxicam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/meloxicam/)
- [Ibuprofen](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ibuprofen/)
- [Celecoxib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/celecoxib/)

## Related conditions 2

- [Knee Osteoarthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/)
- [Rheumatoid arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/)

[← Back to the class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - NABUMETONE tablet, film coated](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=53656d70-6572-4669-6465-6c6973555341) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=M01AX01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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