Diclofenac helps relieve pain and reduces inflammation associated with certain conditions affecting the joints, muscles or tendons (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, muscle strain or sprain, tendonitis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gout) and bone (e.g. fractures, dislocations).
It can also be used to relieve pain associated with surgery, accidental injury, migraine (severe throbbing or pulsating sensation of head) or menstrual period.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Diclofenac exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different brands of this medicine may be taken differently.
Diclofenac is available as a conventional, dispersible, gastro-resistant, prolonged-release, controlled-release type of tablet or capsule and powder for oral solution.
If you are taking the conventional tablet or capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the dispersible tablet, you may drop the tablet into a glass of water then stir to help disperse it before swallowing. Do not cut, break or crush the dispersible tablets.
If you are taking the gastro-resistant, prolonged-release, controlled-release type of tablet or capsule (usually labelled as "PR", "CR", "XL", "SR", or "MR"), swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet or capsule.
If you are taking the powder for oral solution, empty sachet contents into a glass of water then mix well and drink immediately.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Diclofenac if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar painkillers such as aspirin, or ibuprofen.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- stomach or intestinal ulcer
- symptoms of bleeding from stomach or bowel e.g. black stools
- severe heart problem
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Diclofenac if you are on your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Alert your doctor if you are to undergo a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Do not take Diclofenac with other NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and celecoxib.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- at risk for heart or blood vessel problems e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, smokers
- history of stomach ulcer
- stomach bowel problems e.g. Crohn's disease (long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract), ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestines)
- bleeding disorder or blood problems e.g. anaemia
- history of haemorrhoids or irritation of rectum
- lupus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- asthma or other lung problems e.g. COPD (long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)
- hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis
- polyps in the nose (lumps inside the nose)
- dehydration
- porphyria (an inherited disorder that may cause skin or nervous system abnormalities)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Diclofenac may make it more difficult for women to become pregnant. Inform your doctor if you are planning to have a baby soon or if you have problems becoming pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Do not switch brands unless instructed by your doctor. This is because different brands of Diclofenac may have slightly different ways of working in your body.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, blood potassium levels, liver or kidney function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of weight, signs of stomach or bowel problems, vision changes, relief of pain may also be needed.
Diclofenac may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: ringing in the ears, dizziness with sensations of spinning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, loss of appetite, stomach wind, abdominal pain, headache, and tiredness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth, or eyes accompanied by fever
- shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, palpitation
- sudden difficulty in speaking, weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs
- pass out bloody stools or black as tar and vomiting blood, or ground coffee-like material
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- frequent sore throat, mouth ulcer, fever
- swelling of the ankles, feet, or hand
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
- sudden change in appearance or the amount of urine produced
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Diclofenac with other NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and celecoxib.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, warfarin
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicine) e.g. prednisone, cortisone
- water pill
- medicines for heart disease e.g. digoxin
- drospirenone (birth control pills)
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- trimethoprim (antibiotic)
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. lithium, citalopram
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- phenytoin (medicine for fits or seizures)
- medicines for diabetes e.g. metformin
- quinolone antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin
- colestipol and cholestyramine (cholesterol-lowering medicines)
- sulfinpyrazone (medicine for gout)
- voriconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- baclofen (medicine used to relieve muscle spasms)
- zidovudine (medicine for HIV infection)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat lung infection known as tuberculosis or TB)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Diclofenac.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the side effect caused by Diclofenac.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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