Tolmetin

Tolmetin

Systematic (IUPAC) name
[1-methyl-5-(4-methylbenzoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]acetic acid
Clinical data
Trade names	Tolectin
AHFS/Drugs.com	monograph
MedlinePlus	a681033
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only)
Routes of administration	oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Biological half-life	1-2 hours, next phase up to 5 hours
Identifiers
CAS Number	26171-23-3 Y
ATC code	M01AB03 (WHO) M02AA21
PubChem	CID: 5509
IUPHAR/BPS	7311
DrugBank	DB00500 Y
ChemSpider	5308 Y
UNII	D8K2JPN18B Y
KEGG	D02355 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:71941 N
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1020 Y
Chemical data
Formula	C15H15NO3
Molecular mass	257.285 g/mol
SMILES O=C(c1ccc(n1C)CC(=O)O)c2ccc(cc2)C
InChI InChI=1S/C15H15NO3/c1-10-3-5-11(6-4-10)15(19)13-8-7-12(16(13)2)9-14(17)18/h3-8H,9H2,1-2H3,(H,17,18) Y Key:UPSPUYADGBWSHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Tolmetin /ˈtɒlmətᵻn/ is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the heterocyclic acetic acid derivative class. It is used primarily to reduce hormones that cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In the United States it is marketed as Tolectin and comes as a tablet or capsule.

Clinical trials

Tolmetin is applicable in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis, pain, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Mechanism of action

Although the mechanism of action of tolmetin is unknown, research involving humans and animals has shown that tolmetin does not achieve anti-inflammatory response by stimulation of the adrenal or pituitary gland, but it has shown tolmetin restrains prostaglandin synthetase in vitro and reduces plasma levels of prostaglandin E, possibly causing the anti-inflammatory response.

When tested in rats tolmetin prevented experimentally stimulated polyarthritis and reduced inflammation. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis tolmetin restrained disease activity as efficiently as aspirin and indometacin, although the occurrence of mild gastrointestinal adverse effects and tinnitus was lower in patients treated with tolmetin than it was with aspirin-treated patients and the occurrence of adverse effects of the central nervous system was lower with tolmetin than it was with indometacin.

Side effects

Tolmetin can increase the risk of heart or circulatory conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. It should not be taken shortly before or after coronary artery bypass surgery. Tolmetin can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal conditions such as perforation or bleeding, which is fatal. Antacids can be taken with tolmetin to relieve stomachaches that often occur. Overdose can result in drowsiness, nausea, epigastric pain, and vomiting.