Diclofenac is a medication to relieve pain and inflammation. This drug can relieve pain in several conditions, such as menstrual pain, postoperative pain, or joint pain due to arthritis ( arthritis ).
Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are substances that trigger an inflammatory reaction when the body is injured or injured. That way the symptoms of inflammation, such as pain or swelling can subside.
Diclofenac trademarks : Aclonac, Cataflam, Clofecon, Diclofenac Potassium, Diclofenac Sodium, Eflagen, Exaflam, Fenavel, Hotin DCL, Kaflam, Lafen, Scantaren, Simflamfas, Voltadex, Voltaren, Zelona
What is Diclofenac
| class | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) |
| Benefit | Treating pain and inflammation |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Diclofenac for pregnant and lactating women |
1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy:
Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there have been no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. 3rd trimester of gestation: Category D: There is positive evidence of a risk to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, for example in dealing with life-threatening situations. Diclofenac can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, capsules, injections, gels, eye drops, suppositories |
Precautions Before Using Diclofenac
There are several things that you should pay attention to before using diclofenac, namely:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Diclofenac should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug, aspirin , or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had or plan to have heart bypass surgery . Diclofenac should not be given to patients with these conditions.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma , heart disease, hypertension , blood clotting disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding , stroke, peptic ulcer , edema, or kidney disease .
- Tell your doctor if you smoke or are addicted to alcohol, as these conditions can increase the risk of side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. Diclofenac should not be used by pregnant women especially in the third trimester.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
- See your doctor right away if you experience a drug allergic reaction , overdose, or serious side effect after using diclofenac.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Diclofenac
The following is the dosage of diclofenac based on the form of the drug, the patient's age, and the condition to be treated:
Tablet Form (Oral)
Purpose: Relieve acute pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , or menstrual pain
- Adult: The dose is 50 mg, 2–3 times daily.
- Children >14 years: 25 mg 3 times daily or 50 mg 2 times daily.
Purpose: Relieves acute migraine
- Adult: Initially 50 mg at first attack. If the migraine is still felt after 2 hours, consume another 50 mg. As long as symptoms persist, take 50 mg of the drug every 4-6 hours. The maximum dose is 200 mg per day.
Injectable Form
Purpose: Relieves renal colic pain
- Adult: The dose is 75 mg injected through the muscle (intramuscular/IM), the dose may be repeated after 30 minutes if needed. The maximum dose is 150 mg per day. Treatment is carried out for a maximum of 2 days.
Purpose: Relieves pain and inflammation.
- Adult: The dose is 75 mg per day by injection into the muscle (intramuscular / IM). The maximum dose is 150 mg per day. Treatment is carried out for a maximum of 2 days.
Purpose: Relieve postoperative pain
- Adult: The dose is 75 mg given by intravenous (IV) infusion over 30–120 minutes. The dose can be re-administered after 4–6 hours if needed. The maximum dose is 150 mg per day. Maximum treatment for 2 days.
Gel form
Goal: Relieve pain and inflammation, muscle aches, joint pain, sprains , or osteoarthritis
- Adults: Apply 2–4 grams to affected areas 2–4 times daily. The maximum dose is 8 grams per day. The maximum duration of treatment is 7 days.
Forms of Eye Drops
Goal: Relieve pain after cataract surgery
- Adults: The dose is 1 drop into the painful eye 4 times a day for 2 weeks. Treatment was started 24 hours after surgery.
Suppository Form
Purpose: Relieves pain and inflammation
- Adult: The dose is 75–150 mg per day, in divided doses.
Purpose: Pain relief in chronic juvenile arthritis in children and adolescents
- Children 1–12 years: 1–3 mg mg/kg per day, divided into 2–3 doses.
How to Use Diclofenac Properly
Always follow the doctor's instructions and read the instructions on the drug packaging before using diclofenac. The following is how to use diclofenac correctly, according to the form of the drug:
1. Diclofenac tablets and capsules
Diclofenac tablets can be taken before or after meals. To prevent stomach upset, it is best to take diclofenal with or after eating. Swallow diclofenac tablets whole with the help of a glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or split diclofenac tablets. Do not lie down after taking diclofenac tablets, for at least 10 minutes.
2. Diclofenac injection
Injectable Diclofenac will be given by a doctor or health worker under the direct supervision of a doctor at the hospital. Injectable Diclofenac will be injected through a vein (intravenous/IV) or through a muscle (intramuscular/IM).
3. Diclofenac gel
Before using diclofenac gel, clean the area where the drug will be applied. Apply enough medicine to the part that feels pain. Always wash your hands and dry them before and after using this medicine.
Avoid using the drug on open wounds, peeled skin, or infected skin. Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the areas where diclofenac is applied.
Do not rinse the medicated area for at least 1 hour after application. Wait up to 10 minutes before covering the area of skin where the medication was given.
4. Diclofenac eye drops
Before using diclofenac eye drops, wash your hands thoroughly and dry them. Make sure the tip of the eye drop bottle doesn't touch any surface.
Turn your face and pull the lower eyelid, then put 1 drop of the drug into the lower eyelid and close your eyes. Press the corner of the eye near the nose for 1–2 minutes.
Don't blink or scratch your eye until the medicine is absorbed into the eye. Repeat the steps above if your dose is more than 1 drop. If you use several types of eye drops at the same time, give a break of about 5-10 minutes before using other eye drops.
5. Diclofenac suppositories
Before using diclofenac suppositories, wash hands and rectum thoroughly with soap, then dry. After that, insert the drug into the rectum, at least 3 cm deep. Sit or lie down for 15 minutes until the medicine softens in the rectum.
Interactions of Diclofenac with Other Drugs
Some of the interaction effects that can occur if diclofenac is used with other drugs are:
- Increased risk of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding if used with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners , SSRI antidepressants, or corticosteroids
- Increased risk of developing hyperkalemia, namely high levels of potassium in the blood, if used with potassium-sparing diuretic drugs , ciclosporin , or tacrolimus
- Decreased effectiveness of ACE inhibitor drugs or beta blockers
- Increased levels of phenytoin , methotrexate, lithium, or digoxin , in the blood
- Increased blood concentration of diclofenac when used with voriconazole or amiodarone
Side Effects and Dangers of Diclofenac
There are several side effects that can occur after using diclofenac, including:
- Stomach ache or heartburn
- Nausea or bloating
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness, drowsiness, or headache
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't go away or get worse. See your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to any of the following drugs or more serious side effects:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding, which is characterized by symptoms of bloody stools , severe stomach pain, dark vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Heart problems, which can be characterized by swelling in the legs, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness
- Kidney disorders, which can be characterized by complaints of infrequent urination, very small amounts of urine, pain when urinating, or difficulty breathing
- Liver disorders, which can be characterized by abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, itching, dark urine, or jaundice