Diclofenac
About Diclofenac
Diclofenac is a tablet primarily used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by various inflammatory conditions. It helps manage symptoms of arthritis, muscle aches, and other painful bone or joint issues in adults. This medicine works by stopping the body from producing certain natural chemicals that cause inflammation.
To get the best results, you should take Diclofenac exactly as your doctor prescribes, often at regular intervals to maintain steady levels in your body. It is generally recommended to take this tablet with a glass of water, and taking it with food or milk can help protect your stomach from irritation. Alongside taking this medicine, incorporating gentle low-impact exercises and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly improve your joint mobility.
While taking Diclofenac, you may experience mild side effects like a mild upset stomach, nausea, or dizziness. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms, such as severe stomach pain, black or tarry stools, or sudden shortness of breath.
Before starting Diclofenac, tell your doctor if you have a history of high blood pressure, heart problems, or kidney issues. Do not take this if you have an active stomach ulcer, severe heart failure, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction or asthma attack triggered by aspirin or other pain relievers.
This medicine can interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, and alcohol, which can increase your risk of stomach bleeding or kidney problems. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Diclofenac. NSAID medicines such as Diclofenac may pose risks during pregnancy, particularly after 20 weeks of gestation.
Uses of Diclofenac
• Pain and inflammation Relief: Diclofenac provides relief from moderate to severe pain and inflammation, helping with headaches, toothaches, post-operative pain, and other conditions.
• Arthritis Management: Diclofenac helps to manage arthritis by reducing inflammation and pain, improving joint function and mobility in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Muscle Pain Treatment: Diclofenac can relieve muscle pain caused by strains, injuries, or overexertion.
• Menstrual Pain Relief: Diclofenac helps in alleviating menstrual cramps and discomfort associated with dysmenorrhea.
• Post-Trauma Pain Management: Diclofenac also helps manage post-traumatic pain and inflammation, supporting recovery and rehabilitation after injuries.
Medicinal Benefits
Diclofenac provides targeted relief that helps you return to your normal daily activities. It delivers several key benefits:
- Effective Pain Relief: It targets the source of discomfort, helping to significantly lower pain levels so you can go about your day comfortably.
- Reduced Joint Swelling and Stiffness: By lowering inflammation, this medicine helps restore flexibility to your joints, allowing for smoother, pain-free movement and faster recovery after physical strain.
- Improved Daily Functioning: Relief from chronic joint pain means you can participate more easily in physical therapy, work, and recreational activities, enhancing your overall quality of life.
Directions for Use
To get the full benefit of Diclofenac and minimise side effects, follow these simple guidelines:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet, as this can destroy its protective coating and increase the risk of stomach irritation.
- Take the tablet during or immediately after a meal to help prevent stomach upset.
- Always take Diclofenac exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop taking it without consulting them first.
Storage
Side Effects of Diclofenac
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Upset stomach, indigestion, or mild heartburn
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness or mild headache
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of stomach bleeding, such as black, tarry, or bloody stools, or vomiting blood
- Severe allergic reactions, including hives, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, and difficulty breathing
- Signs of kidney or liver problems, such as dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or sudden swelling in the legs or feet
- Chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, or slurred speech
Drug Warnings
- Always check the tablet before taking it; do not take any tablets that are cracked, chipped, or showing signs of dampness.
- Take Diclofenac with food, milk, or an antacid if it causes mild stomach discomfort.
- Avoid taking this medicine with other over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or naproxen) to prevent serious stomach irritation or kidney strain.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly while using this medicine, as it can sometimes cause a slight increase.
- Limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Diclofenac, as the combination significantly increases your risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed. Long-term or high-dose use of NSAIDs such as Diclofenac may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact.
- Blood thinners (like warfarin): Taking these together can greatly increase the risk of serious stomach bleeding.
- Other NSAIDs (like aspirin or ibuprofen): Combining these increases the likelihood of stomach ulcers and kidney damage.
- Blood pressure medications (like ACE inhibitors or diuretics): Diclofenac may decrease the effectiveness of these medicines and increase the risk of kidney strain.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Alcohol: Consuming alcohol while taking this medicine increases your risk of developing stomach bleeding or ulcers.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Diclofenac, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Stomach Ulcers or Bleeding: This medication can worsen active stomach ulcers or increase the risk of recurrent gastrointestinal bleedings.
- Kidney or Liver Disease: Diclofenac can put extra strain on these organs, potentially worsening their function.
- Asthma: Some people with asthma may experience breathing difficulties or allergic attacks when taking this class of medication.
- Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure: This medicine may cause fluid retention, worsen blood pressure control, and increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, particularly with prolonged use or higher doses.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Diclofenac to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorDiclofenac is not recommended during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe an alternative medicine after overweighing the benefits over the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is not enough evidence to establish the safety of Diclofenac in nursing mothers. So, it is advisable to take Diclofenac only if prescribed by your doctor.
Driving
unsafeDiclofenac may cause dizziness. So avoid driving or drive only if you are alert.
Liver
consult your doctorIf u have or had a history of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Diclofenac.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have or had a history of kidney-related diseases, please consult a doctor before taking Diclofenac.
Children
unsafeDiclofenac not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys filter the medication safely and efficiently.
- Protect your stomach: Avoid consuming spicy or highly acidic foods if you experience stomach sensitivity while taking this medicine.
- Maintain low-impact activity: Engage in gentle exercises like swimming, walking, or cycling to keep your joints flexible without putting excess stress on them.
- Apply warm or cold compresses: Use ice packs to reduce acute joint swelling or warm compresses to soothe stiff muscles alongside your medication.
- Watch your salt intake: If you have high blood pressure, limit your sodium intake, as NSAIDs can sometimes cause your body to retain fluids.
Special Advise
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: It is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience associated with tissue damage. Pain can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Perception of pain can differ from person to person, from tolerable to non-tolerable.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting various joints (hands and feet). In this condition, the body's immune system attacks its own tissue (including joints).
Ankylosing spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare type of arthritis that affects the spine and larger joints, causing extreme pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the two ends of the joints come together due to the breakdown of a protective covering called cartilage. Without this protective covering, the joints rub against each other, leading to pain and stiffness. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, inflammation, and tenderness.
FAQs
Diclofenac is used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with migraine, muscle pain, dental pain, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gout, strain, and sprain.
Diclofenac works by blocking the effect of an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) that produces prostaglandins responsible for the sense of pain and inflammation. Thus, it provides relief from pain and inflammation.
Diclofenac can be stopped if it is prescribed for short-term pain relief. If it has been prescribed for long-term usage, it is advised to continue as advised by your doctor.
Diclofenac may cause dizziness in some patients. Drive only if you are alert after taking Diclofenac and omit driving if you feel dizzy.
No, Diclofenac is not indicated for stomach pain. If you have symptoms of stomach pain, contact your doctor.
You may begin to feel pain relief within a few hours of taking your first dose. However, for chronic conditions like arthritis, it may take a couple of weeks of consistent use to experience the full anti-inflammatory benefits. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
It is best to avoid or strictly limit alcohol while taking Diclofenac. Alcohol increases the risk of stomach irritation, bleeding, and ulcers when combined with this type of pain reliever. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
You should avoid taking Diclofenac during pregnancy unless specifically advised by your doctor. From around 20 weeks of pregnancy onward, NSAIDs may affect the baby's kidney function and reduce amniotic fluid levels. From around 30 weeks onward (the third trimester), Diclofenac should generally be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and other serious complications. Always consult your doctor before taking this medicine during
You should not take Diclofenac with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, as this significantly increases the risk of stomach ulcers and kidney damage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining any pain medications.
Do not increase your dose of Diclofenac on your own. If your pain does not improve, talk to your doctor so they can evaluate your treatment plan and explore other options safely.
Yes, Diclofenac can sometimes cause fluid retention, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual readings.
