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Ontario coverage, price, criteria word for word, Health Canada status and shortages for one product

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NABUMETONE

All products: not a benefit

Other products in the same Health Canada class (M01A) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Diclofenac (Voltaren): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Diclofenac + misoprostol (Arthrotec 50): general benefit
  • Flurbiprofen (Ansaid): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Indomethacin (Indocid): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Ketoprofen (Ketoprofen): general benefit, Not a benefit

12 more in the class list below

Nabumetone · DIN 02238639 · 500mg · tablet

Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefitMarketed · checked 2026-09-02
StatusOff-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit
Write on scriptnot a benefit; no Exceptional Access criteria on record; see alternatives
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
1 brand, same coverage
Nabumetone · DIN 02238639 Manufacturer: A A Pharma Inc.; listing date 2007-09-04 Health Canada: Marketed since 2021-11-08 · brand NABUMETONE · ATC M01AX01 NABUMETONE · form Tablet · route Oral · ingredients NABUMETONE 500 MG · company Aa pharma inc · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=62067 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02238639)

Source record
DIN 02238639: Nabumetone Raw flags: notABenefit=Y, sec3=Y, sec3b=Y Item: 280804072; group id 388; item number 0927; lccId None; manufacturer id AAP Source form: Tab; strength: 500mg Recorded listing: Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit Source prices (unrounded): $0.7363; ministry not recorded Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=02238639 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=62067 Therapeutic Notes (formulary) NSAIDs have a high rate of serious adverse effects in the elderly. When prescribing NSAIDs, the minimal effective dose for the shortest period of time should be used. In nonspecific pain and/or osteoarthritis, in the absence of joint inflammation (swelling), acetaminophen is a better first choice for analgesia. The most effective treatment to prevent NSAID-gastritis is misoprostol; although H-2 antagonists, such as ranitidine or cimetidine, are commonly used, they are not as effective. NSAIDs can significantly aggravate hypertension and congestive heart failure; ASA in doses below 1 gram per day is a better choice than other NSAID options if anti-inflammatory effects are required in patients with these conditions. Low dose ASA has additional benefits for anti-platelet indications that are not provided by other NSAIDs, and should be given in preference or in addition to other NSAIDs for patients with vascular indications.
Interchangeable products
Relafen · DIN 02083531 · not recorded
Shortage status: resolved shortage (ended 2020-09-02); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=02238639
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00

Relafen · DIN 02083531 · 500mg · tablet

Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2006-02-13 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.Discontinued 2006-02-13 · checked 2026-09-02
StatusOff-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2006-02-13 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Write on scriptnot a benefit; no Exceptional Access criteria on record; see alternatives; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2006-02-13 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
1 brand, same coverage
Relafen · DIN 02083531 Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health Care; listing date 2007-07-12 Health Canada: Cancelled post market since 2006-02-13 · brand RELAFEN TABLETS 500MG · ATC M01AX01 NABUMETONE · form Tablet · route Oral · ingredients NABUMETONE 500 MG · company Glaxosmithkline inc · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Relafen: Formulary list price not recorded/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=16134 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02083531)

Source record
DIN 02083531: Relafen Raw flags: notABenefit=Y, sec3=Y, sec3b=Y Item: 280804072; group id 388; item number 0927; lccId None; manufacturer id GSK Source form: Tab; strength: 500mg Recorded listing: Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit Source prices (unrounded): not recorded; ministry not recorded Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=02083531 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=16134 Therapeutic Notes (formulary) NSAIDs have a high rate of serious adverse effects in the elderly. When prescribing NSAIDs, the minimal effective dose for the shortest period of time should be used. In nonspecific pain and/or osteoarthritis, in the absence of joint inflammation (swelling), acetaminophen is a better first choice for analgesia. The most effective treatment to prevent NSAID-gastritis is misoprostol; although H-2 antagonists, such as ranitidine or cimetidine, are commonly used, they are not as effective. NSAIDs can significantly aggravate hypertension and congestive heart failure; ASA in doses below 1 gram per day is a better choice than other NSAID options if anti-inflammatory effects are required in patients with these conditions. Low dose ASA has additional benefits for anti-platelet indications that are not provided by other NSAIDs, and should be given in preference or in addition to other NSAIDs for patients with vascular indications.
Interchangeable products
Nabumetone · DIN 02238639 · not recorded
Shortage status: no shortage or discontinuation reported (checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=02083531
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00
Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2006-02-13 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Other drugs in the same formulary class (28:08:04 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents) and how they are covered

Matched class: 28:08:04 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Drug-class inventory only. Lists recorded Ontario formulary products, not every Canadian medication; does not recommend treatment. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: DICLOFENAC SODIUM & MISOPROSTOL Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): DICLOFENAC SODIUM, FLURBIPROFEN, IBUPROFEN, INDOMETHACIN, KETOPROFEN, MEFENAMIC ACID, MELOXICAM, NAPROXEN, PIROXICAM, SULINDAC, TIAPROFENIC ACID 28:08:04 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents

DICLOFENAC SODIUM

· 19 products · Listed, not a benefit (3), General benefit (11), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (5) · strengths: 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 1.5% W/W · Ent Tab, LA Tab, Sup, Top Sol

DICLOFENAC SODIUM & MISOPROSTOL

· 6 products · General benefit · strengths: 50mg & 200mcg, 75mg & 200mcg · Tab

FLURBIPROFEN

· 4 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (2) · strengths: 50mg, 100mg · Tab

IBUPROFEN

· 11 products · Listed, not a benefit (3), General benefit (8) · strengths: 200mg, 300mg, 400mg, 600mg · Tab

INDOMETHACIN

· 10 products · Listed, not a benefit (4), General benefit (6) · strengths: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg · Cap, Sup

KETOPROFEN

· 9 products · General benefit (4), Listed, not a benefit (5) · strengths: 50mg, 100mg, 200mg · Cap, Ent Tab, LA Tab

MEFENAMIC ACID

· 2 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), General benefit (1) · strengths: 250mg · Cap

MELOXICAM

· 14 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (12) · strengths: 7.5mg, 15mg · Tab

NAPROXEN

· 21 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (9), General benefit (8), Listed, not a benefit (4) · strengths: 250mg, 375mg, 500mg, 25mg/mL, 125mg · Ent Tab, O/L, Tab

PIROXICAM

· 6 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (4) · strengths: 10mg, 20mg · Cap

SULINDAC

· 4 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (2) · strengths: 150mg, 200mg · Tab

TIAPROFENIC ACID

· 4 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (2) · strengths: 200mg, 300mg · Tab Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 28:08:04 and 6 more
Full class listing Related classes: 28:08:08 Opiate Agonists, 28:08:12 Opiate Partial Agonists, 28:08:92 Miscellaneous Analgesics and Antipyretics, 28:16:04 Antidepressants, 28:16:08 Tranquilizers, 28:16:12 Other Psychotropics, 28:36:08 Anticholinergic Agents, 28:36:20 Dopamine Receptor Agonists Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
Other drugs whose Health Canada label lists a similar indication: the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
From Health Canada product monographs; label wording only, not a treatment recommendation. Matching is lexical and uses one held product label per generic; formulations and qualifying criteria may differ. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: DICLOFENAC SODIUM & MISOPROSTOL DICLOFENAC SODIUM & MISOPROSTOL · General benefit 1 INDICATIONS ARTHROTEC (diclofenac sodium and misoprostol) is indicated for: • Acute and chronic use in the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00074559.PDF; date JAN 15, 1993; DIN 01917056; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph Coverage source: ON formulary extract 2026-08-26
What the Health Canada label says it is for
1 INDICATIONS NABUMETONE (Nabumetone tablets) is indicated for:  Acute and chronic relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. For patients with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) and/or gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, other management strategies that do NOT include the use of non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be considered first (see 2 CONTRAINDICATIONS and Cardiovascular, and Gastrointestinal). Use of NABUMETONE should be limited to the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of treatment in order to minimize the potential risk for cardiovascular or gastrointestinal adverse events (see 2 CONTRAINDICATIONS and Cardiovascular, and Gastrointestinal). NABUMETONE, as a NSAID, does NOT treat clinical disease or prevent its progression. NABUMETONE, as a NSAID, only relieves symptoms and decreases inflammation for as long as the patient continues to take it. 1.1 Pediatrics Pediatrics (<18 years of age): Based on the data submitted and reviewed by Health Canada, the safety and efficacy of NABUMETONE in pediatric patients have not been established; therefore, Health Canada has not aut… https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00070052.PDF PM date: MAR 24, 2023 Source product: NABUMETONE; DIN 02238639; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph posted by Health Canada; excerpt for lookup only.

Other review policies

For Nabumetone, Relafen: no applicable EAP criteria are held and no ODB benefit is established. These policies do not establish coverage.

For rare, immediately life-, limb- or organ-threatening circumstances, the Compassionate Review Policy may consider an unfunded drug or indication, subject to its criteria and without bypassing the drug review process. Compassionate Review Policy

Compassionate Review Policy: source quote
Where there are rare clinical circumstances in immediately life, limb, or organ-threatening conditions, the Executive Officer will also consider requests for drugs or indications in situations where there has not been a decision by the Executive Officer to provide funding of the drug or indication as part of the Ontario Drug Benefit program (and the EAP), and the drug or indication requested would not circumvent the established review process for new drugs or indications as part of the drug submission process for listing within the Ontario Drug Benefit program. Requests must meet the criteria for the Compassionate Review Policy.

Ontario source; updated September 15, 2026

For cancer drugs, Case-by-Case Review considers rare, immediately life-threatening circumstances when no satisfactory funded treatment exists; its criteria and application process apply. Case-by-Case Review (cancer drugs)

Case-by-Case Review (cancer drugs): source quote
Note: Requests for cancer drugs are considered under the Case-by-Case Review Program (CBCRP) which is administered by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The CBCRP considers funding requests for drugs (both oral therapies and injectable drugs) for the treatment of cancer in patients who have a rare clinical circumstance that is immediately life-threatening (death is likely within a matter of months) and who require treatment with an unfunded drug, because there is no other satisfactory and funded treatment. Please refer to the Ontario Health website for information on the application process, FAQs, eligibility criteria and program policies.

Ontario source; updated September 15, 2026