Diclofenac chemical structure
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Diclofenac

Diclofenac (marketed as Voltaren®, Voltarol®, Diclon® and Cataflam®) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) taken to reduce inflammation, such as in arthritis or acute injury. It can also be used to reduce menstrual pain. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
Dacarbazine
Dactinomycin
Dalmane
Danazol
Dantrolene
Dapoxetine
Dapsone
Daptomycin
Daraprim
Darvocet
Darvon
Daunorubicin
Daunorubicin
Daypro
DDAVP
Deca-Durabolin
Deferoxamine
Delsym
Demeclocycline
Demeclocycline
Demerol
Demulen
Denatonium
Depakene
Depakote
Depo-Provera
Desferal
Desflurane
Desipramine
Desmopressin
Desogen
Desogestrel
Desonide
Desoxyn
Desyrel
Detrol
Dexacort
Dexamethasone
Dexamfetamine
Dexedrine
Dexpanthenol
Dextran
Dextromethorphan
Dextromoramide
Dextropropoxyphene
Dextrorphan
Diabeta
Diacerein
Diacetolol
Dial
Diamox
Diazepam
Diazoxide
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Diclohexal
Didanosine
Dieldrin
Diethylcarbamazine
Diethylstilbestrol
Diethyltoluamide
Differin
Diflucan
Diflunisal
Digitoxin
Digoxin
Dihydrocodeine
Dihydroergotamine
Dihydrotachysterol
Dilantin
Dilaudid
Diltahexal
Diltiazem
Dimenhydrinate
Dimercaprol
Dimetapp
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyltryptamine
Dimetridazole
Diminazene
Diovan
Dioxybenzone
Diphenhydramine
Diphenoxylate
Dipipanone
Dipivefrine
Diprivan
Diprolene
Diproteverine
Dipyridamole
Disulfiram
Disulfiram
Dizocilpine
Dobutamine
Docetaxel
Docusate sodium
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Dolobid
Dolophine
Domperidone
Donepezil
Dopamine
Dopram
Doral
Doramectin
Doriden
Dornase alfa
Doryx
Dostinex
Doxapram
Doxazosin
Doxepin
Doxil
Doxil
Doxorubicin
Doxy
Doxycycline
Doxyhexal
Doxylamine
Drisdol
Drixoral
Dronabinol
Droperidol
Drospirenone
Duloxetine
Durabolin
Duragesic
Duraphyl
Duraquin
Dutasteride
Dv
Dyclonine
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Voltaren and Voltarol contain the sodium salt of diclofenac. In the United Kingdom Voltarol can be supplied with either the sodium salt or potassium salt, while Cataflam in some other countries is the potassium salt only. Diclofenac is available in stomach acid resistant formulations (25 and 50 mg), fast disintegrating oral formulations (50 mg), slow- and controlled-release forms (75, 100 or 150 mg), suppositories (50 and 100 mg), and injectable forms (50 and 75 mg). Diclofenac is also available over the counter (OTC) in some countries: Voltaren® dolo (12.5 mg diclofenac as potassium salt) in Switzerland and Germany, and preparations with 25 mg diclofenac are OTC in New Zealand. OTC use is approved for minor aches and pains and fever associated with common infections.

Diclofenac is available as a generic drug in a number of formulations.

Mechanism of action

The exact mechanism of action is not entirely known, but it is thought that the primary mechanism responsible for its anti-inflammatory/antipyretic/analgesic action is inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX).

Diclofenac, it seems, may also be a unique member of the NSAIDs. There is some evidence that diclofenac inhibits the lipooxygenase pathways, thus reducing formation of the leukotrienes (also pro-inflammatory autacoids). There is also speculation that diclofenac may inhibit phospholipase A2 as part of its mechanism of action. These additional actions may explain the high potency of diclofenac - it is the most potent NSAID on a molar basis.

Inhibition of COX also decreases prostaglandins in the epithelium of the stomach, making it more sensitive to corrosion by gastric acid. This is also the main side effect of diclofenac. Diclofenac has a low to moderate preference to block the COX2-isoenzyme (approximately 10-fold) and is said to have therefore a somewhat lower incidence of gastrointestinal complaints than noted with indomethacin and aspirin.

The action of one single dose is much longer (6 to 8 hours) than the very short half-life of the drug indicates. This could partly be due to a particular high concentration achieved in synovial fluids.

Common uses

Diclofenac is used for musculoskeletal complaints, especially arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), gout attacks, and pain management in case of kidney stones and gallstones. An additional indication is the treatment of acute migraines. Diclofenac is used commonly to treat mild to moderate post-operative or post-traumatic pain, particular when inflammation is also present, and is effective against menstrual pain.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Topical diclofenac gel delivered improvement in actinic keratoses. (Two Randomized, Double-Blind Trials). : An article from: Skin & Allergy News $5.95 Effect of intramuscular diclofenac sodium on pharmacokinetics of intravenous enrofloxacin in calves.(Research Letter) : An article from: Indian Journal of Pharmacology $5.95
Clearance rates vary with actinic keratosis topicals: cancer precursor.(Focus on Skin Disorders) : An article from: Family Practice News $5.95

Effect of intramuscular diclofenac sodium on pharmacokinetics of intravenous enrofloxacin in calves
Byline: F. Ahmed, P. Mohan, C. Barua, D. Dutta Interactions between nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other drugs occur relatively frequently because of the wide use of the former.
Diclofenac more effective than acetaminophen in osteoarthritis of the knee - Patient Oriented Evidence That Matters: practice recommendations from key
Case JP, Baliumnas AJ, Block JA. Lack of efficacy of acetaminophen in treating symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ...
Diclofenac Sodium 25-mg/mL Injection
METHOD OF PREPARATION Note: This preparation should be done in a laminar airflow hood in a cleanroom or via isolation barrier technology by a validated ...
Diclofenac Sodium 1.5% Topical Gel
METHOD OF PREPARATION 1. Calculate the required quantity of each ingredient for the total amount to be prepared. 2. Accurately weigh and/or measure each ...
Rofecoxib and Diclofenac in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis - Brief Article
Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a common and effective treatment for osteoarthritis. Despite their proven efficacy, side effects ...
Phase IV, open-label assessment of the treatment of actinic keratosis with 3.0% diclofenac sodium topical gel
Abstract A clearance rate of all occurrences [greater than or equal to]75% for actinic keratoses (AK) lesions is an accepted efficacy endpoint for ...
Celecoxib vs. Diclofenac in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes.
Vultures: canaries in the coal mine?
An anti-inflammatory prescribed to domestic livestock may be at the heart of a catastrophic population crash of three South Asian vulture species, scientists ...

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay