Do you also have arthritis that causes pain and stiffness in your knees? Or does someone you know suffer from this pain? Diclofenac is a medication that doctors often recommend for knee arthritis. You may already be using it. So, today we will talk about what Diclofenac is, how to use it exactly, and what we need to be careful about when using it.
What is this Diclofenac liquid?
Simply put, Diclofenac is a painkiller. But not only that, it also reduces swelling. It belongs to a group of drugs called NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) . You may have heard of drugs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen. Diclofenac belongs to the same group.
But the Diclofenac Topical Solution we are talking about is not a medicine that is taken orally. It is an external use solution . It is especially recommended to control the pain and swelling of arthritis in the knee. It is absorbed into the skin and goes to the site of the pain and has an effect. Therefore, the side effects on the stomach can be reduced to some extent.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine:
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, it is very important to know your complete medical history. This is because some conditions can make it dangerous to use this medicine. Therefore, if any of the conditions listed below apply to you, be sure to tell your doctor .
| The situation or habit that applies to you | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Recent (within 2 weeks) bypass surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - CABG) | Because this medicine can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. |
| Heart attack, heart disease, heart failure | Existing heart conditions may be aggravated. |
| High Blood Pressure | This can further increase blood pressure. |
| Bleeding disorders, use of blood-thinning medications | Increases the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding. |
| Kidney disease or liver disease | There is a risk of damage to these organs. |
| Asthma or other respiratory diseases | Some people may experience worsening asthma symptoms. |
| A history of stomach ulcers or bleeding | The risk of those situations occurring again increases. |
| Frequent drinking or smoking | These habits increase the risk of side effects such as stomach bleeding. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This medicine can be dangerous during pregnancy, especially in the last 3 months. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | It is important to seek medical advice about whether the medicine can be passed to the baby through breast milk. |
| Allergy to Diclofenac, Aspirin or other NSAIDs | A serious allergic reaction may occur. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Since this is not a medicine to take orally, it is very important to know exactly how to use it.
- Topical only: Never take this by mouth . This is intended for topical use only.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
- Do not get in eyes: Be careful not to let the medicine get into your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes thoroughly with clean water.
- Follow your doctor's instructions: Try to take the dose, frequency, and time of day as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
- Do not stop: Continue using this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
Important: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, or if someone has taken it, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
- If using twice a day: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Never take two doses at once.
- If using four times a day: Skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take more than one dose to make up for the missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Diclofenac liquid may interact with other medications you are taking, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Type of medicine | Description |
|---|---|
| Never use with these | |
| Cidofovir, Ketorolac, Methotrexate | Using Diclofenac with these medications can cause serious side effects. |
| Interactions may occur with the following medications (inform the doctor): | |
| Other NSAIDs such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen | The risk of side effects such as stomach bleeding is greatly increased. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin, Enoxaparin) | Increases the risk of bleeding. |
| Medications for high blood pressure | The effectiveness of those medications may be reduced. |
| Steroid medications like Prednisone | Increases the risk of stomach ulcers. |
| Cyclosporine, Lithium | The side effects of these medications may increase. |
Serious side effects that require immediate attention
This medicine can sometimes cause serious side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking the medicine and see a doctor or go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
- Allergic Reactions: Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of bleeding: black tarry stools , vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds , dark red/brown urine, and small red/purple spots on the skin.
- Symptoms of a heart attack: pain or tightness in the chest, shoulder, arm, or jaw, nausea, difficulty breathing, feeling cold, fainting.
- Symptoms of a stroke: numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, severe headache.
- Signs of kidney damage: decreased urine output, swelling in the ankles, hands, or feet.
- Symptoms of liver damage: pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow/brown urine.
- Serious skin reactions: Red/purple blisters or peeling skin lesions with fever and chills-like symptoms.
Common, less serious side effects include headache, mild redness or itching where the medicine was applied, stomach upset, and nausea. If these persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Diclofenac liquid is a topical medication for knee arthritis pain. Never take it by mouth.
- Before starting this medication, be sure to tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the medicine. Be careful not to get it in your eyes.
- If you experience serious symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, black stools, or severe skin lesions, seek medical advice immediately.
- While using this medicine, do not take other painkillers such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen without consulting your doctor.
- If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න