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Diclofenac

Brand Names

; Cataflam® Oral ; Solaraze™ Topical ; Voltaren® Ophthalmic ; Voltaren® Oral ; Voltaren®-XR Oral

Foreign Brand Names

; Apo-Diclo® (Canada) ; Artrenac (Mexico) ; Clonodifen® (Mexico) ; Dolo Pangavit D® (Mexico) ; Fustaren Retard (Mexico) ; Galedol (Mexico) ; Liroken (Mexico) ; Novo-Difenac® (Canada) ; Novo-Difenac-SR® (Canada) ; Nu-Diclo (Canada)

Therapeutic Categories

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent (NSAID)

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diclofenac, or any other part of the medicine. A few examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, nabumetone, and ketoprofen.
• If you have porphyria.
• If you are more than 24 weeks pregnant.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain; rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and juvenile forms of arthritis; gout; dysmenorrhea; and ankylosing spondylitis.
• The ophthalmic solution is used for postoperative inflammation after cataract extraction. It is also used to treat pain and sun sensitivity in patients who have had corneal refractive surgery.
• The gel is used to treat actinic keratosis. It is used for 60 to 90 days. Complete healing may not be seen for 30 days after therapy is finished.

How does it work?

• Diclofenac reduces inflammation and pain. It blocks production and release of chemicals that cause pain or inflammation.

How is it best taken?

• Oral:
  • Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
  • Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • There should be an interval of at least 8 hours between doses.
  • Take this medicine 2 hours before or 6 hours after cholestyramine or colestipol.
• Eye:
  • For the eye only.
  • Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
  • Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
  • After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the eye.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.
• Skin:
  • Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Cover skin with gel and smooth gently into skin.
  • Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area unless told to do so.
  • Do not apply sunscreens, cosmetics, or other medicines to affected area.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Oral:
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
  • Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. There should be an interval of at least 8 hours between doses.
• Eye:
  • Instill a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and return to your regular schedule.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Oral:
  • If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects, especially stomach ulcers, kidney problems.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases in stomach irritation.
  • If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be instructed to stop this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for specific instructions about the time for stopping and restarting.
  • Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• skin:
• You can burn. Avoid sun. Wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine, especially aspirin or other pain medicines. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. Do not use in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Oral:
  • Feeling sleepy, dizzy, unable to think clearly, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, diarrhea, gas.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black color. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Eye:
  • Tearing, short-term burning or stinging, increased eye pressure.
• Skin:
  • Itching, rash, dry skin, pain, peeling, numbness and tingling.

What should I monitor?

• Oral:
  • Relief of symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?
• Eye:
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up blood.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.
• Store eye solution at room temperature. Protect from light.
• Store skin gel at room temperature. Protect from heat and freezing.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).