Get Informed: Diclofenac
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-20 9:29 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Diclofenac
- Voltaren
- Cataflam
- Flector
- Voltaren-XR
- Pennsaid
- Solaraze
- Motifene
- Voltarol
- Zipsor
- Slofenac
- Volsaid
- Fenactol
- Diclomax
- Diclozip
- Rhumalgan
- Lofensaid
- Diclovol
- Econac
- Flexotard
- Acoflam
- Rheumatac
- Defanac
- Voltarol P
- Cambia
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*
- 767,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Diclofenac or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Diclofenac Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Diclofenac used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 5,100 patients that use Diclofenac (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 Diclofenac work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 5,100 users taking Diclofenac (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 Diclofenac outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Diclofenac.
Common Side Effects of Diclofenac
iGuard regularly polls our more than 5,100 users taking Diclofenac (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 Diclofenac
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Diclofenac
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 Diclofenac ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am prescribed one 5ml spoonful of Oramorph, to be take a half-hour or so before going to bed. It does help me to get a few hours sleep before my 'sciatica' wakes me up again. Isn't Arthritis just so character building!
70 year old Male – Source: iGuard United Kingdom
Posted: 2010-03-19 06:16:44
Question/Comment:
I am going to stop using Diclofenac because I get little pain relief from it and it causes severe costipation. My G.P. agrees.
70 year old Male – Source: iGuard United Kingdom
Posted: 2010-03-19 06:10:56
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
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Diclofenac