Diflunisal helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to provide relief in pain associated with joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles) and osteoarthritis (a joint disorder where the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness).
Take Diflunisal 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.
You may take this medicine with food or immediately after a meal to reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
You may stop taking this medicine when you have no more pain and inflammation.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.
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 Diflunisal if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar painkillers such as aspirin.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of asthma attacks, rhinitis (inflammation of the inside lining of the nose caused by allergens), skin rash, or other allergic reactions after taking aspirin or similar painkillers
- previous or active peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe)
- current or history of stomach and/or bowel bleeding or hole caused by previous NSAID (medicine for pain and inflammation) therapy
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
Do not take this medicine if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while being treated with Diflunisal, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- pre-existing asthma
- high blood pressure
- bleeding or blood clotting problems
- bowel problems e.g. Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that usually affects the small intestine and colon), ulcerative colitis (a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the linings of the large intestine and rectum)
- cerebrovascular disease (disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain)
- heart disease e.g. recent heart attack, ischaemic heart disease (narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart)
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Diflunisal to the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). Elderly people and debilitated individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Notify your doctor if you are a smoker or if you drink alcohol.
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.
Diflunisal is not recommended for reducing fever.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
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. liver and kidney function, complete blood count) 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 regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of stomach or bowel bleeding may also be needed.
Diflunisal may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and 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: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, stomach wind, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, and ringing in the ears.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness
- weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- rashes, tender or enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the face
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin, naproxen
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, losartan
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- certain antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin
- certain medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. lithium, olanzapine
- blood thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, warfarin
- paracetamol (medicine for fever and pain)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- anti-inflammatory medicines
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Diflunisal.
This medicine should not be taken with antacids (medicines that neutralise stomach acids) as it could reduce the effectiveness of Diflunisal. If you must take antacids, take them between meals at least 2 hours after you have taken this medicine.
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.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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