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- $Unique_ID{BRK03124}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{diclofenac}
- $Subject{Voltaren Ciba-Geigy Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
- diclofenac inflammation pain swelling stiffness arthritis ankylosing
- spondylitis chemicals prostaglandins}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- diclofenac
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Voltaren (Ciba-Geigy)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- diclofenac
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Enteric-coated tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container at room
- temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.
-
- USES
-
- Diclofenac is used to treat the inflammation (pain, swelling, and
- stiffness) of arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Diclofenac has been shown
- to block the production of certain body chemicals, called prostaglandins, that
- may trigger pain. However, it is not yet fully understood how it works.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- You should take this medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes
- before meals or two hours after meals, so that it gets into your bloodstream
- quickly. To decrease stomach irritation, your doctor may want you to take
- this medication with food or antacids.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets before swallowing. They should
- be swallowed whole to lessen side effects.
- It may take two weeks before you feel the full effects of this
- medication. Diclofenac does not cure arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, but
- it will help to control the condition as long as you continue to take it.
- It is important that you take diclofenac on schedule and do not miss any
- doses. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is
- almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at
- all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next
- dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache,
- indigestion, or nausea. As your body adjusts to the drug, these side effects
- should disappear.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- If you become dizzy, sit or lie down; get up slowly from a sitting or
- reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- bloody or black, tarry stools; blurred vision; confusion; difficult or painful
- urination; palpitations; a problem with hearing, or ringing or buzzing in your
- ears; skin rash, hives, or itching; stomach pain; swelling of the feet or
- hands; tightness in the chest; unexplained sore throat and fever; soreness of
- the tongue or mouth; unusual fatigue or weakness; unusual weight gain;
- wheezing or difficulty in breathing; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Diclofenac interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. Anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) can lead to an
- increase in bleeding complications.
- 2. Aspirin, other salicylates, and other anti-inflammatory medications
- can increase stomach irritation. Aspirin may also decrease the effectiveness
- of diclofenac. Therefore, aspirin should not be used concurrently with
- diclofenac.
- 3. Diclofenac can decrease the elimination of digoxin, methotrexate, and
- lithium from the body, which can lead to serious side effects.
- 4. The activity of diuretics (water pills) and drugs to lower blood
- pressure (propranolol, metoprolol) may be inhibited by diclofenac.
- 5. Diclofenac may alter a diabetic patient's response to insulin, oral
- hypoglycemic agents, or antiseizure medication (phenytoin).
- Before starting to take diclofenac, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
- medications you are taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Before you start to take this medication, it is important to tell your
- doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to diclofenac or to
- any of the other chemically related drugs (aspirin, other salicylates,
- diflunisal, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, meclofenamate,
- mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, piroxicam,
- sulindac, or tolmetin).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma,
- bleeding problems, colitis, stomach ulcers or other stomach problems,
- epilepsy, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease,
- mental illness, or Parkinson's disease.
- * If diclofenac makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery.
- * Because this drug can prolong your bleeding time, it is important to
- tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this drug before having
- surgery or any other medical or dental treatment.
- * Stomach problems are more likely to occur if you take aspirin regularly
- or drink alcohol while being treated with this medication. These should,
- therefore, be avoided (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become
- pregnant. This medication can cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood
- flow of the fetus. Studies in animals have also shown that this medicine, if
- taken late in pregnancy, may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor,
- or cause other problems during delivery. Also tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of diclofenac can pass into breast
- milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-