What is Diclofenac Sodium?
Diclofenac Sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and other symptoms of arthritis of the joints (eg, osteoarthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, Diclofenac Sodium does not cure osteoarthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to use it.
Diclofenac Sodium topical 3% gel is also used to treat actinic keratosis, a skin problem that may become cancerous if not treated. The exact way that topical Diclofenac Sodium helps this condition is unknown.
Diclofenac Sodium topical solution is used to treat pain and swelling caused by osteoarthritis of the knees.
Diclofenac Sodium topical patch is used to treat acute pain caused by minor strains, sprains, and contusions (bruises).
Diclofenac Sodium is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Diclofenac Sodium indications
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Diclofenac Sodium delayed-release tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use Diclofenac Sodium delayed-release tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
Diclofenac Sodium delayed-release tablets are indicated:
- •
- For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
- •
- For relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
- •
- For acute or long-term use in the relief of signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
How should I use Diclofenac Sodium?
Use Diclofenac Sodium solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Diclofenac Sodium solution comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Diclofenac Sodium solution refilled.
- Do not apply Diclofenac Sodium solution to infected skin; open wounds; or red, swollen, or peeling skin.
- Wash your hands immediately before and after using Diclofenac Sodium solution.
- Wash the affected area and dry completely before using Diclofenac Sodium solution.
- To apply Diclofenac Sodium solution, dispense 10 drops at a time onto the knee or into your hand. Spread Diclofenac Sodium solution evenly around the front, back, and sides of the knee. Repeat until you have used the whole dose.
- Be sure that you cover your entire knee with your dose of Diclofenac Sodium solution. Do not use more than the recommended amount.
- Do not apply sunscreens, cosmetics, insect repellants, other topical medicines, or any other substance to the treated area until it is completely dry.
- Do not put on clothes over the treated area until it is completely dry.
- Do not wrap, bandage, or apply heat to the treated area.
- Let the treated skin dry before touching it or letting it touch anyone else's skin.
- Do not shower, bathe, or wash the treated area for at least 30 minutes after you use Diclofenac Sodium solution.
- If you miss a dose of Diclofenac Sodium solution, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Diclofenac Sodium solution.
Uses of Diclofenac Sodium in details
Use: Labeled Indications
Ankylosing spondylitis (delayed-release tablets only): Acute or long-term use in the relief of signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Dysmenorrhea (immediate-release tablets only): Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
Migraine (powder for oral solution only): Acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults.
Osteoarthritis (immediate-release, extended-release, and delayed-release tablets; capsules [Zorvolex]; and suppositories [Canadian product] only): Relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Pain
Capsules/immediate-release tablets only: Relief of mild to moderate acute pain.
Injection only: Management of mild to moderate pain and moderate to severe pain (alone or in combination with opioid analgesics) in adults.
Rheumatoid arthritis (immediate-release, extended-release, and delayed-release tablets; and suppositories [Canadian product] only): Relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Off Label Uses
Gout, treatment (acute flares)
Data from a limited number of trials support the efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium in the treatment of acute gout flares.
Based on the 2012 American College of Rheumatology guidelines for management of gout, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective and recommended agents in the treatment of acute gout flares.
Diclofenac Sodium description
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) with antipyretic and analgesic actions. It is primarily available as the sodium salt.
Diclofenac Sodium dosage
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Diclofenac Sodium extended-release tablets, and other treatment options before deciding to use Diclofenac Sodium extended-release tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
After observing the response to initial therapy with Diclofenac Sodium extended-release tablets the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient’s needs.
For the relief of osteoarthritis, the recommended dosage is 100 mg daily.
For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended dosage is 100 mg daily. In the rare patient where Diclofenac Sodium extended-release tablets 100 mg/day is unsatisfactory, the dose may be increased to 100 mg twice a day if the benefits outweigh the clinical risks of increased side effects.
Different formulations of Diclofenac Sodium (Diclofenac Sodium enteric-coated tablets; Diclofenac Sodium extended-release tablets; Diclofenac Sodium potassium immediate-release tablets) are not necessarily bioequivalent even if the milligram strength is the same.
Diclofenac Sodium interactions
See also:
What other drugs will affect Diclofenac Sodium?
Aspirin: Concomitant administration of Diclofenac Sodium and aspirin is not recommended because Diclofenac Sodium is displaced from its binding sites during the concomitant administration of aspirin, resulting in lower plasma concentrations, peak plasma levels, and AUC values.
Anticoagulants: While studies have not shown Diclofenac Sodium to interact with anticoagulants of the warfarin type, caution should be exercised, nonetheless, since interactions have been seen with other NSAIDs. Because prostaglandins play an important role in hemostasis, and NSAIDs affect platelet function as well, concurrent therapy with all NSAIDs, including Diclofenac Sodium, and warfarin requires close monitoring of patients to be certain that no change in their anticoagulant dosage is required.
Digoxin, Methotrexate, Cyclosporine: Diclofenac Sodium, like other NSAIDs, may affect renal prostaglandins and increase the toxicity of certain drugs. Ingestion of Diclofenac Sodium may increase serum concentrations of digoxin and methotrexate and increase cyclosporineís nephrotoxicity. Patients who begin taking Diclofenac Sodium or who increase their Diclofenac Sodium dose or any other NSAID while taking digoxin, methotrexate, or cyclosporine may develop toxicity characteristics for these drugs. They should be observed closely, particularly if renal function is impaired. In the case of digoxin, serum levels should be monitored.
Lithium: Diclofenac Sodium decreases lithium renal clearance and increases lithium plasma levels. In patients taking Diclofenac Sodium and lithium concomitantly, lithium toxicity may develop.
Oral Hypoglycemics:
Diclofenac Sodium does not alter glucose metabolism in normal subjects nor does it alter the effects of oral hypoglycemic agents. There are rare reports, however, from marketing experiences, of changes in effects of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in the presence of Diclofenac Sodium that necessitated changes in the doses of such agents. Both hypo- and hyperglycemic effects have been reported. A direct causal relationship has not been established, but physicians should consider the possibility that Diclofenac Sodium may alter a diabetic patientís response to insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
Diuretics: Diclofenac Sodium and other NSAIDs can inhibit the activity of diuretics. Concomitant treatment with potassium-sparing diuretics may be associated with increased serum potassium levels.
Other Drugs: In small groups of patients (7-10/interaction study), the concomitant administration of azathioprine, gold, chloroquine, D-penicillamine, prednisolone, doxycycline, or digitoxin did not significantly affect the peak levels and AUC values of Diclofenac Sodium. Phenobarbital toxicity has been reported to have occurred in a patient on chronic phenobarbital treatment following the initiation of Diclofenac Sodium therapy.
Protein Binding
In vitro, Diclofenac Sodium interferes minimally or not at all with the protein binding of salicylic acid (20% decrease in binding), tolbutamide, prednisolone (10% decrease in binding), or warfarin. Benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, cephalothin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole have no influence in vitro on the protein binding of Diclofenac Sodium in human serum.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions
Effect on Blood Coagulation: Diclofenac Sodium increases platelet aggregation time but does not affect bleeding time, plasma thrombin clotting time, plasma fibrinogen, or factors V and VII to XII. Statistically significant changes in prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times have been reported in normal volunteers. The mean changes were observed to be less than 1 second in both instances, however, and are unlikely to be clinically important. Diclofenac Sodium is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, however, and all drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis interfere with platelet function to some degree; therefore, patients who may be adversely affected by such an action should be carefully observed.
Diclofenac Sodium side effects
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Diclofenac Sodium?
Ocular
Transient burning and stinging were reported in approximately 15% of patients across studies with the use of Diclofenac Sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1%. In cataract surgery studies, keratitis was reported in up to 28% of patients using Diclofenac Sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1%, although in many of these cases keratitis was initially noted prior to the initiation of treatment. Elevated intraocular pressure following cataract surgery was reported in approximately 15% of patients undergoing cataract surgery. Lacrimation complaints were reported in approximately 30% of case studies undergoing incisional refractive surgery. The following adverse reactions were reported in approximately 10% or less of the patients: abnormal vision, acute elevated IOP, blurred vision, conjunctivitis, corneal deposits, corneal edema, corneal opacity, corneal lesions, discharge, eyelid swelling, eye pain, injection (redness), iritis, irritation, itching, lacrimation disorder, and ocular allergy.
Systemic
The following adverse reactions were reported in 3% or less of the patients: abdominal pain, asthenia, chills, dizziness, facial edema, fever, headache, insomnia, nausea, pain, rhinitis, viral infection and vomiting.
Clinical Practice
The following reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of topical Diclofenac Sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to topical Diclofenac Sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1%, or a combination of these factors, include corneal erosion, corneal infiltrates, corneal perforation, corneal thinning, corneal ulceration and epithelilal breakdown.
TO REPORT SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Altaire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1-800-258-2471 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Diclofenac Sodium contraindications
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Diclofenac Sodium?
Diclofenac Sodium in all formulations, Cataflam, Voltaren, and Voltaren-XR, is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Diclofenac Sodium and Diclofenac Sodium-containing products. Diclofenac Sodium should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to Diclofenac Sodium have been reported in such patients.
Active ingredient matches for Diclofenac Sodium:
Diclofenac Sodium
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Diclofenac Sodium / Kingdom 50 mg x 1000's | |
| Diclofenac Sodium / Kingdom 25 mg x 1000's | |
| 100 tablet in 1 blister pack | |
| 100 tablet in 1 bottle, plastic | |
| 1000 tablet in 1 bottle, plastic | |
| Diclofenac Sodium 75 mg Injection | $ 0.02 |
| Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg Pharmed Tablet | $ 0.03 |
| Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg Tablet | $ 0.00 |
| Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg Acichem Tablet | $ 0.00 |
| Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg Densa Pharma Tablet | $ 0.01 |
| Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg LOCOST Tablet | $ 0.01 |
| Diclofenac Sodium tablet, film coated, extended release 100 mg/1 (bryant ranch prepack (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium gel 10 mg/g (Par Pharmaceutical Inc (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium gel 30 mg/g (E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium tablet, extended release 100 mg/1 (REMEDYREPACK INC. (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium tablet, delayed release 25 mg/1 (Blue Point Laboratories (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium tablet, delayed release 75 mg/1 (Rebel Distributors Corp (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium solution/ drops 1 mg/mL (H.J. Harkins Company, Inc. (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium solution 16.05 mg/mL (Actavis Pharma, Inc. (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium tablet, delayed release 50 mg/1 (Pd Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium solution/ drops 3.5 mg/mL (PACK Pharmaceuticals, LLC (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium solution/ drops 16.05 mg/mL (Sircle Laboratories, Llc (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium gel 10 mg/1 (Solubiomix (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium solution 1 mg/mL (Sandoz Inc (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium aerosol, metered 30 mg/mL (Shoreline Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium gel 3 g/100g (Two Hip Consulting, Llc (US)) | |
| Diclofenac Sodium 50mg Tablet (Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd) | $ 0.11 |
List of Diclofenac Sodium substitutes (brand and generic names): | |
| Dic_75 (Georgia) | |
| Dien (Taiwan) | |
| Dien 50 mg | |
| Diep (Italy) | |
| Difadol (Poland) | |
| Difadol 0.1% (Poland) | |
| Difam (Pakistan) | |
| Difam 50+500 Tablet (Sifam Pharmaceuticals) | $ 0.02 |
| Difam Gel | |
| Difam Gel 30 gm Gel (Sifam Pharmaceuticals) | $ 0.48 |
| Difaren (Thailand) | |
| Difaren 1.16 g/100 g x 1's | |
| Difeamine (South Korea) | |
| Difelene (Thailand, Vietnam) | |
| Difelene 25 mg x 24 x 10's (Tnp) | |
| Difelene 50 mg x 24 x 10's (Tnp) | |
| DIFEN (MCW) | |
| DIFEN INJECTION 1 vial / 30 ML injection each (McW Healthcare) | $ 0.10 |
| Difen rapid (Bosnia & Herzegowina) | |
| Difen UD (Germany) | |
| Difen-25mg | |
| Difen-50mg | |
| Difen-Stulln (Germany, Switzerland) | |
| Difen-Stulln UD | |
| Drops; Ophthalmic; Diclofenac Sodium 0.1% | |
| Difena (Taiwan) | |
| Difena 25 mg x 1000's (Standard) | |
| Difena 50 mg x 1000's (Standard) | |
| Difena 50 mg x 100 x 10's (Standard) | |
| Difena 25 mg/1 mL x 3 mL x 100's (Standard) | |
| Difena 12.5 mg x 100's (Standard) | |
| Difena 25 mg x 100's (Standard) | |
| Difenac (Argentina, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Venezuela) | |
| 50 mg x 10's (Intermed) | $ 0.13 |
| Difenac 25 mg x 100 x 10's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 25 mg x 1, 000's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 50 mg x 50 x 10's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 50 mg x 500's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 75 mg/3 mL x 5's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 75 mg/3 mL x 50's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 50mg TAB / 10 (Intermed) | $ 0.13 |
| Difenac 25 mg x 10 x 10 x 10's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 50 mg x 10 x 10 x 10's (Intermed) | |
| Tablets, Enteric Coated; Oral; Diclofenac Sodium 25 mg (Intermed) | |
| Tablets, Enteric Coated; Oral; Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 25 mg x 1000's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 50 mg x 1000's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac 50 mg Tablet (Intermed) | $ 0.01 |
| Difenac enteric-coated tab 25 mg 10 x 10 x 10's (Intermed) | |
| Difenac enteric-coated tab 50 mg 10 x 10 x 10's (Intermed) | |
| DIFENAC tab 50 mg x 10's (Intermed) | $ 0.20 |
See 8632 substitutes for Diclofenac Sodium | |
References
- DailyMed. "DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- PubChem. "diclofenac". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DrugBank. "diclofenac". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00586 (accessed September 17, 2018).
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Diclofenac Sodium are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Diclofenac Sodium. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
Consumer reported useful
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yet1 consumer reported time for results
To what extent do I have to use Diclofenac Sodium before I begin to see changes in my health conditions?As part of the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, it takes 3 days and a few days before you notice an improvement in your health conditions.
Please note, it doesn't mean you will start to notice such health improvement in the same time frame as other users. There are many factors to consider, and we implore you to visit your doctor to know how long before you can see improvements in your health while taking Diclofenac Sodium. To get the time effectiveness of using Diclofenac Sodium drug by other patients, please click here.
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 1 | 100.0% | |
4 consumers reported age
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| > 60 | 2 | 50.0% | |
| 30-45 | 2 | 50.0% | |
Consumer reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first to write one! |
Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
