What is diclofenac?

Although used quite commonly, but not everyone can grasp the exact effect and dose of Diclofenac. Finding information about Diclofenac will help you use the medicine for the right purpose and minimize the risks.

Diclofenac: Uses, dosages and side effects

  1. Diclofenac drug effects
  2. How to use Diclofenac
  3. How to preserve Diclofenac drug
  4. Dosage
    1. Dosage for adults
    2. Dosage for children
  5. Side effects
  6. Note before taking Diclofenac
  7. Drug interactions
  8. What health conditions affect diclofenac
  9. In case of an overdose

Diclofenac drug effects

Diclofenac is used to reduce pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness caused by arthritis. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

If you are treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, ask your doctor about non-pharmacological treatments or use of other medications.

Other uses : Diclofenac may also be used to treat other painful conditions (such as toothache, muscle aches, postoperative pain or postpartum pain). However, if you have sudden severe pain, you should use painkillers that work faster than diclofenac. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to use Diclofenac

Picture 1 of What is diclofenac?
Do not crush, chew, or break pills because they may increase side effects.

Take diclofenac with a full glass of water or as directed by your doctor. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking diclofenac. If you have stomach problems, take food, milk, or antacids while taking them. However, this may slow the absorption and reduce the effect of the drug.

Do not crush, chew, or break pills because they may increase side effects. Take the whole tablet whole.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, treatment response and the medications you are taking. Do not use more than the prescribed amount of medication.

For certain conditions (such as arthritis), it takes at least 2 weeks for the drug to take full effect.

Tell your doctor if your condition gets worse.

How to preserve Diclofenac drug

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, away from light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not store in the freezer. Each medication may have different storage methods. Read the directions on the packaging carefully, or ask your pharmacist. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not throw medication into the toilet or water line unless required. Dispose of properly when the medicine is out of date or cannot be used. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Dosage

Dosage for adults

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

  1. Diclofenac 50mg, take 2-3 times a day or diclofenac 75mg, drink 2
    times a day.
  2. Doses greater than 150mg / day are not recommended for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
  3. Diclofenac prolonged release: 100mg orally once a day.

Usual adult dose for ankylosing spondylitis:

Sodium diclofenac: 25mg orally 4 times a day Can be used additional 25mg before bedtime if necessary.

Usual Adult Dose for Menstrual Cramps and Pain Relief:

  1. Potassium diclofenac: 50mg orally 3 times a day. In some patients, the initial dose of 100mg and then 50mg will work better. After the first day, the total daily dose does not exceed 150 mg.
  2. Potassium diclofenac soft capsules (Zipsor [R]): 25mg orally 4 times a day.
  3. Zorvolex (R): 18 or 35mg orally 3 times a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

  1. Diclofenac 50mg, taken 3-4 times a day or diclofenac 75 mg, taken twice a day.
  2. Diclofenac prolonged release: 100 mg orally once a day.
  3. Doses greater than 225 mg / day are not recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Usual adult dose for migraine sufferers:

Potassium diclofenac in the form of an oral solution bag: mix one bag (50 mg) with 30 mg to 60 mg (30 - 60 mL) of water in a glass and drink immediately.

Dosage for children

  1. Children: 2-3mg / kg / day divided into 2 to 4 times daily.
  2. Maximum dose: 200mg daily.

Side effects

Most common side effects of diclofenac are digestive disorders.

See a hospital right away if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using diclofenac and call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects such as:

  1. Chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
  2. Bloody or tarry black stools;
  3. Coughing up blood or vomiting like coffee grounds;
  4. Swelling or rapid weight gain, urinating less than the bottle;
  5. Nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, colored clay stools, jaundice (or eyes);
  6. Bruising, intense itching, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
  7. Stiff neck, chills, sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, or seizures;
  8. Severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, a burning sensation in the eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that causes blisters and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

  1. Stomach discomfort, heartburn or upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation flatulence, heartburn;
  2. Dizziness, headache, nervousness;
  3. Itchy skin or rash;
  4. Blurred vision
  5. Tinnitus.

Not everyone exhibits the above side effects. There may be other side effects not mentioned. If you have any questions about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Picture 2 of What is diclofenac?
Some of the side effects of Diclofenac include: Rash, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat .

Note before taking Diclofenac

Before taking diclofenac you should:

  1. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diclofenac (e.g. Solaraze and Pennsaid, in Arthrotec), aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) , Naprosyn), any other medicines, or any of its ingredients; if you are allergic to cow proteins such as milk, beef, or gelatin;
  2. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs you are taking. Especially: acetaminophen (Tylenol, in other products), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec, in Lexxel and Vaseretic), fosinopril (Monopril) ), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, in Prinzide and Zestoric), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretic; insulin and diabetes medications; lithium (ESKALITH, Lithobid); seizure medication; methotrexate (Rheumatrex), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater) and voriconazole (Vfend);
  3. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had swelling of the nasal mucosa; porphyrin metabolic disorders; heart failure; swelling of hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; liver or kidney disease;
    If you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last months of pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking diclofenac, call your doctor for further advice;
  4. If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, let them know you are taking diclofenac;
  5. If you have phenylketoneuria.

There are still not enough studies to determine the risk of using this medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before taking medication, always consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can alter the ability of the drug to work or increase the effects of side effects. This document does not include the full range of possible drug interactions. Write a list of all the medicines you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter and supplements) and show it to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not arbitrarily take, stop or change the dosage of the drug without a doctor's permission.

Certain medicines should not be taken with meals or at the same time as certain foods because of the possible interaction. Alcohol and tobacco may also interact with certain drugs. Consult your health professional about taking medication with food, alcohol and tobacco.

What health conditions affect diclofenac

Your medical condition may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any health problems, especially:

  1. Anemia;
  2. Bleeding problems;
  3. Coagulation;
  4. Congestive heart failure
  5. Edema (fluid translation);
  6. History of myocardial infarction;
  7. Heart disease;
  8. Hypertension;
  9. Kidney disease;
  10. Disorders of porphyrin metabolism;
  11. Ulcer or stomach bleeding;
  12. History of stroke;
  13. History of hypersensitivity to aspirin (or other NSAIDs);
  14. Kidney disease;
  15. Heart surgery;
  16. Liver failure;
  17. Phenylketon (PKU).

In case of an overdose

In case of emergency or overdose, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest local health station.

Overdose symptoms may include:

  1. Nausea;
  2. Vomiting;
  3. Stomachache;
  4. Bloody, black, or tarry stools;
  5. Vomiting blood or looking like coffee grounds;
  6. Sleepy;
  7. Slow, shallow or irregular breathing;
  8. Loss of awareness.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take twice the prescribed dose.

Note: Information about medicines, proprietary medicines posted in the Family medicine cabinet section on Khoahoc.tv website is for reference only. Please consult with your doctor before deciding to treat any medicine to bring good effect and safety for your health.

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