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FDA data Public-data reference. 13 alternatives

Alternatives to sulindac

Same-class medications cross-checked against FDA data — compare uses, side effects, and safety profiles.

Brand: Clinoril

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Prescription 13 alternatives found

About sulindac

Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps to reduce pain and swelling.

Used for: Sulindac can help with the pain and swelling from different types of arthritis. This includes osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also treat ankylosing spondylitis, a painful shoulder, and gout.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Alternatives (13)

diclofenac

OTC

Voltaren, Cataflam

This medicine temporarily relieves arthritis pain. It is only for pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It may take up to 7 days to start working. If you still have pain after 7 days, stop using it.

diflunisal

Rx

Dolobid

Diflunisal can help with mild to moderate pain. It can also treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You should use the lowest dose that works for you, for the shortest time needed.

etodolac

Rx

Lodine

Etodolac treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can help with pain and swelling in your joints. Etodolac is also used for short-term relief of acute pain.

ibuprofen

OTC

Advil, Motrin

Ibuprofen can help with minor aches and pains. You can use it for headaches, toothaches, backaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. It can also help with the common cold, minor arthritis pain, and fever.

indomethacin

Rx

Indocin

Indomethacin treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis. It can also help with acute painful shoulder (bursitis or tendinitis) and gouty arthritis. This medicine reduces pain and swelling in your joints.

ketoprofen

Rx

Orudis

Ketoprofen extended-release capsules treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These conditions cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. This medicine is not for treating sudden, sharp pain.

ketorolac

Rx

Toradol

Ketorolac is used for short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. It is often used after surgery. You should only use it for up to 5 days.

mefenamic acid

Rx

Ponstel

Mefenamic acid is used to relieve mild to moderate pain in people 14 years and older. It should not be used for more than 7 days. It is also used to treat menstrual cramps.

meloxicam

Rx

Mobic

Meloxicam treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who weigh at least 132 pounds (60 kg). This medicine helps to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints.

nabumetone

Rx

Relafen

Nabumetone is used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. This medicine can help you feel better.

naproxen

OTC

Aleve, Naprosyn

Naproxen is used to relieve pain and inflammation. You can use it for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It also treats ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Naproxen can help with tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, and general pain.

oxaprozin

Rx

Daypro

This medicine can help with the symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. Oxaprozin can help you feel better by reducing these symptoms.

piroxicam

Rx

Feldene

Piroxicam helps to relieve the pain and swelling from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a joint problem that usually affects older people. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Compare sulindac vs diclofenac side-by-side →

Side Effect Comparison

Adverse event reports from the FDA FAERS database. Higher counts may reflect wider use, not necessarily higher risk.

Side Effect sulindac diclofenacdiflunisaletodolac
The medicine is not working 213 362
Pain 182 12,281 350
Tiredness 151 11,317 273
Joint pain 138 8,640 43 284
Feeling sick to your stomach 123 66 290
Pain in your arm or leg 114 174
Weakness 106 25
Diarrhea 102 235

"—" means no reports for that reaction. Report counts reflect total FAERS submissions, not prevalence rates.

Why Consider Alternatives?

Cost

Generic alternatives may be significantly cheaper. Ask your pharmacist about generic options in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class.

Side Effects

Different drugs in the same class can have different side effect profiles. If one doesn't work for you, another might.

Availability

Drug shortages happen. Knowing alternatives helps your doctor switch quickly if your usual medication is unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the alternatives to sulindac?
There are 13 alternative medications in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class, including diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac, and more. Talk to your doctor about which option is best for your condition.
Can I switch from sulindac to an alternative?
Never switch medications without consulting your doctor. While these drugs share the same class (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)), they may differ in dosing, interactions, and suitability for your specific condition.

How to Read These Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Alternatives

sulindac (marketed as Clinoril) sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class, and the 13 alternatives above share the same therapeutic classification under FDA labeling. Drugs grouped this way typically work through similar mechanisms, but they are not interchangeable — each has its own pharmacokinetics, dosing schedule, contraindications, and adverse-event profile derived from separate clinical trials. The labeled indication for sulindac focuses on: Sulindac can help with the pain and swelling from different types of arthritis.

The side-effect comparison above draws on FDA FAERS data, where sulindac has 1,322 reports across its top 10 reactions, measured against diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac. Raw report counts reflect total exposure — a medication prescribed to tens of millions will accumulate more reports than a newer or niche option even when per-patient risk is lower. Dashes in the comparison table mean that reaction was not among the top reported events for that drug, not that it never occurs. Generic availability for sulindac is well established, and competing products often have substantially different acquisition costs under NADAC.

Switching between medications in the same class is a clinical decision with real consequences — dosing conversions are not one-to-one, interaction profiles differ, and prior treatment response is individual. Shortage status, insurance formulary placement, and out-of-pocket cost all influence which alternative is practical in a given situation. This comparison surfaces public FDA data to help patients and caregivers prepare informed questions; it is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before switching or stopping any medication.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not stop or change your medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.