Drug Database - Diclofenac

Generic Name: diclofenac (dye-KLOE-fen-ak)

Brand Names: Cataflam®, Voltaren®, Voltaren-XR®

Classification: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Issue Date: 1992

Diclofenac is in a group 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 treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use Diclofenac. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as:

• chest pain
• weakness
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• problems with vision or balance

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Diclofenac, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Before taking Diclofenac, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure
• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding
• liver or kidney disease
• asthma
• polyps in your nose
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
• if you smoke

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Diclofenac, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking Diclofenac during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take Diclofenac during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Diclofenac can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child without the advice of a doctor.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you switch brands of Diclofenac, your dose needs may change. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much medicine to take.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you take Diclofenac for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to Diclofenac (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. READ THE LABEL of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Diclofenac. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by Diclofenac. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Diclofenac may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If You Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Diclofenac overdose may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• drowsiness
• black or bloody stools
• coughing up blood
• shallow breathing
• fainting
• coma

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• skin rash or hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these SERIOUS side effects:

• chest pain
• weakness, shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• problems with vision or balance
• black, bloody, or tarry stools
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• swelling or rapid weight gain
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• nausea, stomach pain
• low fever
• loss of appetite
• dark urine, clay-colored stools
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• fever
• sore throat
• headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• bruising
• severe tingling, numbness
• pain, muscle weakness
• neck stiffness
• chills
• increased sensitivity to light
• purple spots on the skin
• seizure (convulsions)

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain
• diarrhea, constipation
• bloating, gas
• dizziness, headache, nervousness
• skin itching or rash
• blurred vision
• ringing in your ears

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before taking alprazolam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®)
• cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
• lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Trexall®)
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix®)
• steroids (prednisone and others)
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as:
• etodolac (Lodine®)
• flurbiprofen (Ansaid®)
• indomethacin (Indocin®)
• ketoprofen (Orudis®)
• ketorolac (Toradol®)
• mefenamic acid (Ponstel®)
• meloxicam (Mobic®)
• nabumetone (Relafen)
• naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®)
• piroxicam (Feldene®) and others

• an ACE inhibitor such as:
• benazepril (Lotensin®)
• captopril (Capoten®)
• fosinopril (Monopril®)
• enalapril (Vasotec®)
• lisinopril (Prinivil®, Zestril®)
• ramipril (Altace®), and others

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Diclofenac or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Diclofenac. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.