Get Informed: Cambia
Active Ingredient(s)
Diclofenac
What does it do?
This product is used primarily in the treatment of arthritis. It is in the family of NSAIDs, and its mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 12:53 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-17 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Diclofenac
- Voltaren
- Cataflam
- Flector
- Voltaren-XR
- Pennsaid
- Solaraze
- Motifene
- Zipsor
- Voltarol
- Slofenac
- Volsaid
- Fenactol
- Cambia
- Diclomax
- Diclozip
- Rhumalgan
- Lofensaid
- Diclovol
- Econac
- Flexotard
- Acoflam
- Rheumatac
- Defanac
- Voltarol P
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning related to potentially fatal cardiac and GI events including MI and strokes, bleeding or perforation of the intestines.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 28 Jul 1988
- Est US Patients*
- 766,700
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Cambia or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Cambia Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Cambia interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Cambia used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 5,000 patients that use Cambia (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | 56% | 
|
| Pain-Generalized | 47% |
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 39% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 17% | 
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 8% |
|
How well does Cambia work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 5,000 users taking Cambia (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 75%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Cambia outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Cambia.
Common Side Effects of Cambia
iGuard regularly polls our more than 5,000 users taking Cambia (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
23% of patients experience side-effects on Cambia
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Cambia
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
Kidney Problems
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Drowsiness
-
Dizziness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Sweating
Global Patient Feedback for Cambia (Diclofenac) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I've been taking voltaren for almost a year & have now developed 3 stomach ulcers. Is there anything else that can help my joints? I have very little cartiledge in my shoulders & it's very painful. Looking for options other than surgery! Please help!
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-16 15:38:17
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Your physician would know your options best based on your medical conditions and current medications.
Posted: 2010-02-17 11:32:10
Question/Comment:
what is CELEBREX ? does it have another name as it does not come to mind as a drug that I am taking.
thank you
Diana Lyndon
73 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-14 08:57:06
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Celebrex is not available by any other name in the United States. It is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory, but due to its mechanism of action, it causes less stomach upset.
Posted: 2010-02-19 10:25:52
Question/Comment:
I was taken off Dicfonac oral Rx for decreased kidney function & underwent the synvisc injections for severe left knee arthritis & put on Tylenol Arthritis 2 q 8 hours and Tramadol 50 mg. (1 or 2 tabs as needed) - these also do not do much so I was put on Voltaren gel 40 mg. to be rubbed on the knee 3 x per day. I am monitored very closely by my physician. (Not a candidate for knee replacement at this time) due to recent bladder surgery that failed.
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-25 09:35:11
Answer/Reply:
With regard to the snyvisc injections that I had in November I failed to mention that they did not work at all - consequently I was placed on the Tylenol Arthritis, Tramadol and Voltaren gel.
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-25 10:51:24
Question/Comment:
I've been taking Diclofenac for about two months for a slipped disc and sciatica. To be honest nothing really touches the pain of sciatica so it's very hard to rate Diclofenac - whether it was effect or not! However I started to notice that both my legs and ankles were often swollen and then I saw with some shock that I had a huge amount of thread veins on my thighs. I told this to my doctor (I live in Hong Kong) who just looked puzzled. At the time I was also taking an anti-depressent Seroxat, so I presumed it was that which was causing the swelling and bleeding, so started to take myself off them.
I have not taken Seroxat for over 2 weeks now but have noticed that my legs/ankles and eyelids are swollen again.
At this point I started Googling Diclofenac and I'm now worried that this in indeed the culprit. When I talk to my doctors, both in Hong Kong and the UK they don't seem to know about these side effects. According to the official websites they use (maybe sponsored by the drug companies) these side effects aren't listed... I can't diagnose myself, I can't prescribe for myself but both my doctors seem clueless and ask me what I think?????
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-08 21:27:01
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Diclofenac can cause the symptoms you are describing. It can cause the swelling and fluid retention that you are noticing. It can also increase the likelihood of bleeding, so it may have something to do with veins you are seeing on your legs. If it is not helping with the the pain of the slipped disc and sciatica and these side effects continue, please follow up with your doctor and perhaps try a different pain medication.
Posted: 2010-01-10 22:19:27
Answer/Reply:
Thanks for your advice. Actually I stopped taking Diclofenac a week ago and replaced it with Paracetamol (500mg) & Codeing (8mg) tablets (2 per 4 to 6 hours). However the swelling in my legs is still present. I have also made a conscious effort to not be standing so much or if I am to be moving around. Again, the swelling is still there..
Is there a pain killer out there that doesn't have this side effect? I am currently trying to take no pain killers at all to see if they really are the culprit but of course it's pretty painful!!!
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-12 19:33:12
iGuard Answer/Reply:
While swelling is a possibility with paracetamol with codeine, it is uncommon unless there is another complication. You need to make sure you are not taking more than 8 tablets within a 24 hour period. Taking more than this amount or even taking this amount on a regular basis can lead to liver toxicity. If you need to take this much of the medication, you need to discuss your pain control options with your physician. There are a few more options with regard to pain control. They are stronger but do not have swelling as a side effect. It is best to discuss your options and your symptoms with your physician.
Posted: 2010-01-14 00:29:11
Question/Comment:
I got severe muscle pain(cramps) in my legs in the middle of the night would there be a connection
46 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-23 20:02:08
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Less than 1% of iGuard patients reported muscle pain as a side effect of taking diclofenac. If the pain persists or worsens you should report it to your doctor for further evaluation.
Posted: 2009-11-24 20:39:22
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Patient Comments about
Cambia