Diclofenac
Brand names: Cataflam, Voltaren, Voltaren-XR. Diclofenac is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Diclofenac works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Pronunciation: dye KLO fen ak
What is the most important information I should know about diclofenac?
• Take diclofenac with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Do not crush, chew, or break diclofenac tablets. Swallow them whole.
• Remain upright (sitting or standing) for 15 to 30 minutes after each dose to prevent irritation of your esophagus (throat).
• Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in your vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to your stomach.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, diclofenac may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
What is diclofenac?
• Diclofenac is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Diclofenac works by reducing hormones
that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
• Diclofenac is used to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, abdominal cramps associated with menstruation, and ankylosing spondylitis.
• Diclofenac may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take diclofenac?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
· have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,
· drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
· have liver or kidney disease,
· have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
· have congestive heart failure,
· have fluid retention,
· have heart disease, or
· have high blood pressure.
• You may not be able to take diclofenac, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above.
• Diclofenac is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to cause harm to an unborn baby. Diclofenac
must not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take diclofenac without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Diclofenac passes into breast milk. Do not take diclofenac without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take diclofenac?
• Take diclofenac exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Take diclofenac with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Do not crush, break, or chew diclofenac tablets. Swallow them whole.
• To prevent irritation of your esophagus (throat), do not lie down for 15 to 30 minutes after taking diclofenac.
• Store diclofenac at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip
it and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a diclofenac overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking diclofenac?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Diclofenac may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear
protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, diclofenac may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
What are the possible side effects of diclofenac?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking diclofenac and seek medical treatment or call your doctor
immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;
· ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;
· rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
· seizures;
· black, bloody, or tarry stools;
· blood in your urine or vomit;
· decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
· yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice); or
· abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn.
· other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take diclofenac and talk to your doctor if you experience:
· dizziness or headache;
· nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or constipation;
· depression;
· fatigue or weakness;
· dry mouth; or
· irregular menstrual periods.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect diclofenac?
Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may increase the effects of diclofenac and cause dangerous side effects. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
· other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis
KT, Oruvail), or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox);
· other commonly used NSAIDs, including etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin
(Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
· aspirin and other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate (watch
the aspirin content of other over-the-counter products such as cough, cold, and allergy medicines);
· diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
· anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin);
· steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone);
· alcohol;
· oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta);
· lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);
· cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); or
· Diclofenac can also decrease the effects of other drugs, such as
· angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions, such as benazepril
(Lotensin) and captopril (Capoten);
· other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril),
moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace); and
· beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions, such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor),
propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), and carteolol (Cartrol).
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with diclofenac. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about diclofenac written for health professionals that you may read.
Brand Names:
• Cataflam
• Voltaren
• Voltaren-XR
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
The information in this leaflet is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
From WebMD