Diclofenac Sodium – Side Effects, Benefits and How to Use?

What is Diclofenac Sodium?

Diclofenac sodium is an anti-inflammatory drug to relieve pain. You can use this drug to treat menstrual pain, pain after surgery, or joint pain due to arthritis.

Diclofenac sodium is a drug that is included in the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, substances that trigger inflammatory reactions.

• Class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Category: Analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory.
• Used by: Adults and children (according to the dose recommended by the doctor).
• Diclofenac sodium for pregnant women: Not recommended especially in the third trimester (category C in trimesters 1 & 2, category D in trimester 3).
• Diclofenac sodium for breastfeeding mothers: Use must be under the supervision of a doctor because it can enter breast milk.
• Drug preparations: Tablets, capsules, injections, gels, and suppositories.

Benefits of Diclofenac Sodium

What is diclofenac sodium for? Diclofenac sodium medication has a number of benefits, including:

1. Relieve pain

Used to relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, muscle aches, and post-operative pain. Diclofenac works by inhibiting an enzyme that triggers pain in the body.

2. Reduces inflammation

Effective in treating inflammation due to arthritis, injury, or other inflammatory conditions. This medication helps suppress the production of prostaglandins that cause inflammation.

3. Overcoming joint and muscle pain

Often prescribed for people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, diclofenac can help improve joint mobility by reducing stiffness and swelling.

4. Reduces menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)

It can be used to treat menstrual pain caused by uterine contractions. This drug works by reducing inflammation and reducing excessive contractions in the uterine muscles.

5. Reduce swelling

Helps relieve swelling due to injury, gout, or other inflammatory conditions. By reducing inflammation, diclofenac can speed the healing of injured tissue.

What Do Studies Say About the Benefits of Diclofenac Sodium?

A meta-analysis published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2024 assessed the effectiveness and safety of diclofenac sodium for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly population.

The results showed that the group that consumed sodium diclofenac experienced a significant reduction in pain, increased mobility, and reduced joint stiffness, based on assessments using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) method. These changes were better when compared to the group that did not consume the drug.

However, the group receiving diclofenac sodium also showed a higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects.

This study concluded that, diclofenac sodium is effective in improving physical function and reducing pain and stiffness in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis, but monitoring for gastrointestinal side effects is necessary during therapy.

Diclofenac Sodium Dosage

The dosage is adjusted to the form of the drug, age, and type of disease. Here are the general doses of sodium diclofenac:

1. Tablet form

• Relieve pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or menstrual pain: For adults, 50 milligrams 2–3 times a day. For children over 14 years, 25 milligrams three times a day or 50 milligrams twice a day.
• Migraine relief: Adults 50 milligrams every 4–6 hours. Maximum dose no more than 200 milligrams per day.

2. Injection form

• Renal colic pain: For adults, 75 milligrams and a maximum dose of no more than 150 milligrams per day.
• Reducing pain and inflammation: For adults, 75 milligrams and a maximum dose of no more than 150 milligrams per day.
• Relieve post-operative pain: For adults 75 milligrams for 30-120 minutes. You can repeat the dose after 4-6 hours if needed. However, the daily dose should not exceed 150 milligrams per day.

3. Gel form

• Relieve muscle pain, joint pain, sprains, or osteoarthritis: For adults, 2-4 grams and you apply 2-4 times a day. The maximum dose is no more than 8 grams a day.

4. Eye drop form

• Relieve pain after cataract surgery: For adults, the dose is one drop 4 times a day.

5. Suppository form

• Reducing pain and inflammation: For adults, the dose ranges from 75-150 milligrams, which you can divide into several doses.
• Relieving chronic juvenile arthritis pain in children: For children aged 1-12 the dose ranges from 1-3 milligrams per body weight per day. You can divide this dose into 2-3 doses.

Interesting Facts about Diclofenac Sodium

1. Diclofenac sodium was first discovered by a research team at Ciba-Geigy and began to be used medically in the early 1970s.
2. Diclofenac sodium begins to work within 30–60 minutes after consumption and reaches its peak effect within 2–3 hours, with an average duration of action of 6–8 hours.
3. Studies have shown that diclofenac sodium has a stronger anti-inflammatory potential than ibuprofen and naproxen, so it is often used in lower doses to achieve the same effect.

How to Use Diclofenac Sodium Correctly

Make sure you always follow your doctor’s advice and read the appropriate usage instructions on the drug packaging. Here are some rules for taking diclofenac sodium, namely:

1. Diclofenac tablets or capsules

Usually, doctors will recommend taking this tablet or capsule medicine 2-4 times a day. This medicine should be taken with water to avoid side effects.

Also, do not lie down immediately after taking this medicine. To prevent stomach ache, you need to take this medicine after eating or while eating.

Be sure to swallow this medication in tablet or capsule form. It is best not to chew, break, or crush the tablets or capsules because it can increase the risk of stomach upset.

2. Diclofenac suppositories

The dosage for this type must be in accordance with the doctor’s instructions. However, before using this medicine, you must clean your hands. Then, lie down and insert the medicine into the anus until all the medicine enters properly.

After the medicine is in, do not stand up immediately. Lie down for 15-20 minutes until the medicine softens.

3. Diclofenac injection

Diclofenac injection to treat mild to moderate pain in adults. Its use and dosage must be appropriate and carried out by a medical team or doctor.

This medication will be given intravenously or through a muscle. You can also provide various health information, such as a history of allergies or breastfeeding conditions.

4. Diclofenac gel

Before using this medicine, make sure you have cleaned the part that will receive treatment from dust, dirt, and cosmetics. Then, apply a thin layer on the painful part.

Do not use this medicine on open wounds, allergies, or infected skin. After use, let it sit for at least one hour. If you want to cover the area where this medicine is applied, let it sit for 10 minutes.

5. Diclofenac eye drops

Clean your hands before using diclofenac eye drops. You also need to clean the eye area from cosmetics, dust, or dirt.

Lift your head and open your eyes using one hand. Then, drop this eye medicine into your eye as much as one drop.

If the dose is more than one drop, add more drops according to the doctor’s dosage. Do not rub the eye until the eye medication has been absorbed into the eye.

Recommended Drugs Containing Diclofenac Sodium

Here are a number of brands of drugs containing diclofenac sodium that you can find on the market:

• Voltadex 50 mg 10 Tablets . A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can help treat rheumatism, post-surgical pain, and acute attacks of gout.
• Voltaren 25 mg 10 Tablets . A pain reliever that is also useful for reducing inflammation, and mild to moderate pain.
• Flamar 25 mg 10 Tablets. The content of diclofenac 25 mg in this drug can help treat rheumatism accompanied by inflammation.
• Renadinac 50 mg 10 Tablets. With 50 mg diclofenac content, this drug helps to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Samcofenac 50 mg 10 Tablets. Tablets that act as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic.
• Voltaren SR 75 mg 10 Tablets . Contains 75 mg of diclofenac and functions to treat rheumatism.
• Divoltar 50 mg 10 Tablets. The content of diclofenac 50 mg can act as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and spinal pain syndrome.

Cautions in Using Diclofenac Sodium

You must tell your doctor if you have an allergy to this drug. Also, tell him about any other allergies you have.

Here are other cautions regarding the use of diclofenac sodium:

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of asthma, blood disorders, nasal polyps, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, stroke, edema, digestive problems, and ulcers.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy or cause blurred vision. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness after taking this medicine.
• Limit alcoholic beverages and smoking while taking this medication. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
• This medication may make you more sensitive to sunlight. Limit your exposure to direct sunlight or use sunscreen and cover up when you must go outside.
• Tell your doctor if you have any scheduled surgery, including dental surgery.
• Elderly people are more likely to experience stomach bleeding, kidney problems, heart attacks, and strokes while using this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal delivery. This medication may also pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Diclofenac Sodium Side Effects

There are some of the most common side effects, namely:

• Stomach ache
• Nauseous.
• Heartburn.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Gassy stomach.
• Headache.
• Drowsiness.
• Dizzy.
• Blurred vision.

Check with your doctor if the above effects persist or worsen.

You also need to watch out for signs of serious side effects, such as:

• Hearing disorders.
• Mood swings.
• Easy bruising.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Symptoms of heart failure, such as swelling in the legs, unusual fatigue, sudden weight gain.
• Signs of kidney problems, such as changes in the amount of urine, bloody urine and a stiff neck.
• Experiencing symptoms of liver damage, such as persistent nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and dark urine.

So, immediately check with a doctor if you experience symptoms of drug allergies, such as:

• Fever.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Rash.
• Itchy.
• Swelling of the face, tongue and throat.
• Dizzy.
• Difficulty breathing.

Because drug allergies can be dangerous, you need to know the first aid.

Diclofenac Sodium Interactions

Drug interactions can change how a drug works and increase the risk of side effects. Well, here are the drugs that can interact with this drug:

• Aliskiren.
•  ACE inhibitors, such as benazepril, lisinopril.
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as losartan, valsartan.
• Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, prednisone.
• Diuretic drugs.
• Anti-platelet drugs, such as clopidogrel.
• Blood thinners, such as dabigatran, enoxaparin, warfarin.

Diclofenac Sodium Contraindications

Contraindications are symptoms or conditions that make a treatment not recommended or not permitted at all by the doctor.

In general, the use of diclofenac sodium is not recommended in the following conditions:

• Concomitant use with selective COX-2 inhibitors, as it may increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as stroke.
• Not recommended in coronary artery bypass graft surgery, as it can increase the risk of stroke.
• People who have a history of allergy to the drug diclofenac sodium.