In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Diclofenac pronounced as dye kloe' fen ak. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking diclofenac, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diclofenac also available as Solaraze and Pennsaid, in Arthrotec , aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin and naproxen Aleve, Naprosyn , any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in the diclofenac product you plan to take.
Ask your pharmacist or check the medication guide for a list of the inactive ingredients. If you will be taking diclofenac capsules Zipsor , tell your doctor if you are allergic to bovine cow proteins such as those found in milk, beef, or gelatin.
Many other medications may also interact with diclofenac, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking even if they do not appear on this list.
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Diclofenac may harm the fetus and cause problems with delivery if it is taken around 20 weeks or later during pregnancy. Do not take diclofenac around or after 20 weeks of pregnancy, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.
If you become pregnant while taking diclofenac, call your doctor. Do not take this medication for a longer period of time or at a higher dose than recommended by your doctor. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. Diclofenac may cause side effects. Diclofenac is a prescription drug. It comes as a topical gel, oral capsule, oral tablet, eye drops, transdermal patch, topical solution, and powder packets for oral solution. Diclofenac topical gel is available as the brand-name drugs Solaraze and Voltaren.
Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as a brand-name drug.
Diclofenac topical gel is used to help relieve osteoarthritis pain in joints that can benefit from treatment through the skin. These joints include those in your hands and knees. Diclofenac topical gel is also used to treat actinic keratosis AK. This condition causes rough, scaly spots on the skin of older adults.
The drug works by blocking a particular enzyme in your body. When the enzyme is blocked, your body decreases the amount of inflammatory chemicals it makes. This helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Diclofenac topical gel may cause drowsiness. Diclofenac can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Diclofenac.
This list does not include all possible side effects. For more information on the possible side effects of Diclofenac, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended.
However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. Apply diclofenac gel to AK lesions twice per day. Usually, 0. The recommended length of treatment is 60 to 90 days. Seniors: If you are age 65 years or older, your body may process this drug more slowly. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.
Diclofenac is used for short-term treatment. It should be used for the shortest possible time to treat the problem. If your doctor wants you to use it for a longer time, your doctor should check your liver function, kidney function, and blood pressure periodically.
For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. If you use too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss a dose: Apply your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.
If you have an allergy to aspirin or other similar NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, you could have an allergic reaction to diclofenac. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of:. Using it again could be fatal cause death. Avoid drinking alcohol when using this drug. Alcohol can increase your risk of stomach ulcers from using diclofenac. Diclofenac gel can transfer to others.
Make sure the gel has dried on your skin before you touch anyone else. Diclofenac is not a suitable medicine for people who have heart disease such as heart failure , or who have circulatory problems, or who have had a heart attack or a stroke. This is because it has been found that there is a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke in this group of people.
Other anti-inflammatory medicines are more suitable for people with these conditions - ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about an alternative medicine. Diclofenac is also formulated as skin gels and patches and as eye drops.
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking your diclofenac dosage, it is important that your doctor knows:.
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with diclofenac. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine.
The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
Important : if you experience any of the following less common but more serious symptoms, stop taking diclofenac and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:. Studies have shown that taking diclofenac at higher doses and for long periods of time can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience any signs of this, including chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or slurred speech.
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to diclofenac, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you.
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