Diclofenac Potassium Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Diclofenac Potassium Tablet contains diclofenac potassium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) from the acetic acid derivative class. It reduces chemicals in the body called prostaglandins that cause pain and swelling, relieving pain and reducing inflammation. It does not cure the underlying illness or stop it from getting worse, and it only works while you keep taking it.

What is Diclofenac Potassium Tablet

Diclofenac potassium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces chemicals in the body called prostaglandins that cause pain and swelling. It relieves pain and reduces swelling but does not cure your illness or stop it from getting worse. It only works while you keep taking it.

Diclofenac Potassium Tablet uses

• Short-term treatment of acute, mild to moderately severe pain that may come with swelling (inflammation), such as sprains, tooth extraction, episiotomy, and painful menstrual periods
• Relief of mild to moderate pain
• Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods)
• Relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
• Relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Benefits of Diclofenac Potassium Tablet

• Relieves pain and reduces inflammation
• Has a rapid onset of action, making it suitable for acute painful inflammatory conditions

How Diclofenac Potassium Tablet works

Diclofenac works by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. This lowers the body's production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that cause pain, fever, and swelling. Reducing these chemicals leads to less pain and inflammation.

Diclofenac Potassium Tablet dosage

Take this medicine with a meal or food to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Swallow the tablets whole with water or liquid; do not divide or chew them. Take it exactly as directed by your health care provider and do not take more, more often, or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that relieves your symptoms for the shortest time possible. If you miss a dose, do not increase your dose to make up for it; continue taking your tablet at the next regular time. In the elderly, frail, or debilitated, the dose should be kept at the lowest level that controls symptoms. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine because it makes stomach problems more likely.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (50 mg)
• Suppository (diclofenac potassium is also available in this form per one source)
• Topical gel
• Topical patch

Side effects of Diclofenac Potassium Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Abdominal pain
• Gas (flatulence)
• Decreased appetite
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Raised liver enzymes
• Skin rash
• Itching (pruritus)
• Vertigo
• Fluid retention and swelling (edema)
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Low red blood cells (anemia)

Serious

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure from body swelling (fluid retention)
• Bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestines
• Perforation of the stomach or intestines
• Kidney problems including kidney failure
• Liver problems including liver failure, hepatitis, and jaundice
• Life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Life-threatening allergic (anaphylactic) reactions and angioedema
• Asthma attacks in people who have asthma
• Low platelets, low white blood cells, and other blood disorders
• Aseptic meningitis (stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fever)
• Blurred or diminished vision
• Bloody or black tarry stools; vomiting blood

Warnings and precautions

• NSAIDs, including this medicine, may raise the chance of a serious heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with longer use and in people who have heart disease or risk factors for it.
• This medicine must never be used right before or after heart bypass (CABG) surgery.
• NSAIDs can cause serious stomach and intestine problems such as inflammation, bleeding, ulcers, and perforation, which can be fatal. These can happen at any time and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk.
• Do not take this medicine if you have had asthma, hives, or an allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID, as severe, rarely fatal reactions can occur.
• This medicine can cause serious skin reactions such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can be fatal. Stop the drug at the first sign of a rash or other sign of hypersensitivity.
• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible to keep the risk of heart and stomach side effects as low as possible.
• This medicine must be avoided in late pregnancy (third trimester) because it can cause early closure of the baby's ductus arteriosus and other harm. It should not be used in the first two trimesters unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the baby. Tell your doctor if you are or may become pregnant.
• This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding because of the potential for serious side effects in nursing infants.
• This medicine is contraindicated in severe or worsening kidney disease. Lower doses should be considered in people with reduced kidney function, and kidney function should be monitored. Caution is needed in dehydrated patients, who should be rehydrated first.
• This medicine is contraindicated in severe liver impairment or active liver disease. Lower doses should be considered in people with reduced liver function, and liver function should be monitored. Stop the drug if signs of liver disease develop.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine because it makes stomach problems, including ulcers or bleeding, more likely.
• This medicine may make you drowsy, dizzy, or light-headed, or cause visual disturbances or vertigo. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Store between 15°C and 30°C
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Return any outdated or unused medicine to your pharmacist
• Keep out of reach of children
• Protect from moisture (per one product label)
• Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, weakness in one part or side of your body, slurred speech, or swelling of the face or throat.
• Stop the medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, feel more tired or weaker than usual, itching, yellow skin or eyes, stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, vomit blood, have black tarry or bloody stools, unusual weight gain, a skin rash or blisters with fever, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
• Check with your healthcare provider immediately if you develop chills, fever, muscle aches or pains, or other flu-like symptoms, especially before or with a skin rash, as this may be the first sign of a serious allergic reaction.
• If you take too much of this medicine, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or your local poison control center immediately, or go to the hospital emergency department at once.

Alternatives

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Aceclofenac
• Meloxicam
• Celecoxib
• Etoricoxib
• Ketoprofen