In the article, we consider the Diclofenac preparation instructions for use, price and reviews.
This remedy is intended to treat inflammation and relieve pain in joints and muscles. Such ailments especially often make themselves felt by people in old age. Even those who do not know what this drug is, most likely, could use Diclofenac under a different name. In Russia, this medication is included in the list of vital medicines. The reason for this is the powerful anti-inflammatory effect of the drug. This factor, along with low cost, made the presented drug extremely common. This medicine is dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription. In our article, we will consider various dosage forms of this drug, in particular, we will talk about ointment, gel and Diclofenac tablets.
Principle of exposure
Three types of effects are immediately characteristic of a medication, namely anti-inflammatory, and at the same time antipyretic and analgesic. The anti-inflammatory properties of this drug are especially strong. Its antipyretic effect is also quite strong. Often this medicine helps when other drugs do not work. “Diclofenac” can relieve pain, although its analgesic effect is not so powerful, in this regard, it is more suitable for eliminating a weak strength pain syndrome.
The mechanism of action of Diclofenac is based on the fact that it inhibits the synthesis of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandins, that is, components that play an important role in the inflammation process. As a result, the unpleasant symptoms of inflammation are reduced, as well as pain and swelling. Also, this drug has the ability to regulate local immunity. With prolonged use, the antiallergenic properties of Diclofenac are observed. After taking this medicine, the active component is rapidly absorbed into the blood plasma, and from there it penetrates into the synovial fluid, which is located in the joints.
Dosage Forms
The main dosage forms of this drug are Diclofenac ointment and tablets. The instructions for them are simple and understandable. They also produce gel, rectal suppositories, eye drops and injections.
There are two types of tablets: regular ones are coated with a membrane that dissolves in the intestines, and prolonged-release pills. The latter type of tablets releases the active substance more slowly, thereby ensuring its required concentration in the blood. The maximum concentration in the blood plasma when using regular tablets is achieved after two hours, and after taking prolonged pills after four. Both types of pills are accompanied by an annotation, in which their characteristics are given with instructions for use.
Tablets of this drug are produced in a dosage of 25 and 50 milligrams. Also in the pills, in addition to the active component, there are many auxiliary ingredients in the form of lactose, sucrose, povidone, potato starch and stearic acid.
As the instructions indicate, Diclofenac ointment has two dosages: 10 and 20 milligrams of the active ingredient per 1 gram of product. The remaining substances that make up the ointment are represented by polyethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide, dimexide and propylene glycol.
Instructions for ointment "Diclofenac" is available in each pack.
Injection solution is supplied exclusively in ampoules, which contain 25 milligrams of active substance in 1 milliliter. The solution also contains water along with sodium hydroxide, benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol and mannitol.
The main component of the gel is the substance diclofenac sodium. Among the auxiliary ingredients, carbomer is noted along with ethanol, trolamine, propylene glycol and lavender oil.
Indications for use
The drug "Diclofenac", regardless of its form, whether it is ointment, gel or tablets, is intended primarily to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory processes in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Thus, it is advisable to use this medication in a number of the following cases:
- Against the background of arthritis of various nature.
- In the presence of rheumatoid lesions of soft tissues.
- In the presence of osteoarthritis or bursitis, as well as with osteochondrosis.
- On the background of a hernia of the intervertebral discs.
Among other things, this drug has been successfully used to relieve mild pain in the following conditions:
- If the patient has neuralgia, myalgia, proctitis or migraine.
- In case of headache or toothache.
- Against the background of postoperative pain and injuries.
Contraindications
In case of breastfeeding, this drug should not be used. According to the instructions, the ointment, "Diclofenac", exactly like tablets, can not be taken in the late stages of pregnancy. This prohibition also applies to gel. There are several reasons for this. The fact is that the drug significantly weakens the contractile function of the uterus, which subsequently lengthens the birth process. In addition, it can increase bleeding during childbirth.
The ban on the use of this drug during lactation is primarily associated with its ability to penetrate into breast milk. The use of gel and ointment for lactation is sometimes allowed, but treatment with Diclofenac in this case should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician.
The presented drug has an extremely negative effect on fertility; therefore, women who seek to become pregnant and suffer from infertility should not resort to the use of Diclofenac. Among other things, you can not take medication in a number of the following cases:
- In the presence of severe pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
- Against the background of an ulcer of the stomach and intestines.
- If bleeding occurs in the stomach or intestines.
- Against the background of bronchial asthma.
- In the presence of individual intolerance to the ingredients.
- In case of hemostasis and hematopoiesis.
- With heart failure
- Against the background of peripheral arterial disease.
- With coronary heart disease.
- Under the age of six.
Instructions for use
In the presence of post-traumatic and postoperative edema, patients can take this drug without consulting a doctor. In other cases, the use of the drug is possible only after the doctor's prescription. Do not self-medicate with "Diclofenac", as it has many side effects, and at the same time contraindications, especially those that are especially pronounced with prolonged treatment.
Ointment application
The purpose and contraindications of Diclofenac ointment are described in detail in the instructions.
It is necessary to rub the product as easily as possible. It is necessary to try to apply a thin layer in the affected area. Up to three such procedures are performed per day. A single dosage is 4 grams, the maximum daily rate cannot exceed 8 grams. The instruction for Diclofenac ointment confirms this.
For children under twelve years, a single dose is 2 grams, and the number of procedures per day should be no more than two.
Instructions for use with Diclofenacum Forte ointment are not provided. Gel and tablets are described there. Indications and contraindications are similar.
Diclofenac-Teva Ointment is also available. In the instructions, the price is also not indicated. This is an Israeli version of the drug. It costs about 200 rubles.
Use of tablets
Food inhibits the absorption of this drug, but does not interfere with its action. Therefore, if the fastest possible effect of the drug is required, then it is better to take pills half an hour before meals. The tablets are swallowed and not chewed, after which they are washed down with water.
Adults and children over the age of fifteen are recommended to take 50 milligrams of the drug three times. The maximum daily dose for adults is 150 milligrams. With prolonged treatment and in mild cases, the dosage can be reduced to 75 milligrams.
For children weighing more than twenty-five kilograms, the drug is prescribed taking into account body weight. Dosage is calculated individually, which is largely dependent on the disease and age. The recommended dosage is 2 milligrams per kilogram of weight. In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the dosage can be increased to 3 milligrams per kilogram of weight.
The use of injections "Diclofenac"
No matter how effective the tablets and Diclofenac ointment, intramuscular injections are often the best solution, if not the only way to stop the patient's pathological condition in order to quickly deliver the drug to the area of inflammation. In this case, it is required to undergo a course of therapy with injections. When using injections, the drug enters the bloodstream very quickly. Usually, within an intramuscular injection, the effect is felt after half an hour. Moreover, the total duration of action is not reduced.
Injections are done in the buttock area. Dosing with one injection is 75 milligrams, injections must be done twice. The maximum daily dose is 150 milligrams. In the event that other dosage forms of this drug are taken at the same time as injections, this should also be taken into account so that the total dosage does not exceed the established norm.
The course of injections is required for two days. In some situations, this period is extended to seven days. In the event that after this additional treatment is required, it can be continued with tablets.
Gel application
Gel "Diclofenac" can be used in childhood from six to twelve years. The maximum dosage for applying a one percent gel is 2 grams, and a five percent gel is 1 gram. Rubbing can be carried out no more than twice a day, while strong friction must be avoided so as not to damage the soft tissue.
The price of Diclofenac ointment and gel is not indicated in the instructions for use. We will consider them below.
For adults and children over twelve years of age, the dose is determined according to the size of the damage. Rubbing is allowed to produce up to four times using light massage movements. So it is said in the instructions for the diclofenac ointment and gel.
Side effects
When using ointments, as well as tablets and other forms of the drug, the following side effects can be observed in people:
- The digestive system can respond with symptoms such as nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence. Very rarely, gastric bleeding and hepatitis can be observed.
- The nervous system may be accompanied by headache, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, tremors, depression, and visual impairment.
- Sometimes dermatological reactions in the form of eczema, rash and urticaria are possible.
Also, patients may experience kidney failure along with anemia, hypotension or hypertension, and menstrual irregularities. According to recent studies, prolonged treatment with one or another Diclofenac dosage form increases the risk of heart attack by forty percent. In this regard, long-term drug therapy can be carried out only in the absence of an alternative.
This is indicated in the instructions. The price of Diclofenac ointment in Moscow will be presented below.
Medication cost
The cost of the dosage form of this drug averages from thirty to sixty rubles. Thus, this medication is available for any consumer wallet.
Analogues of the drug
On the pharmaceutical market today you can find many drugs in which the active ingredient is diclofenac. Among these drugs, it is worth paying attention to Ortofen, Naklofen and Voltaren. Among the ointments that contain diclofenac, the drug Voltaren can be noted. True, he, like a foreign-made drug, lacks an equally attractive price.
We will not consider in detail the instructions for use with analogues of Diclofenac ointment.
Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of “Meloxicam”, “Nise”, “Ketonal”, “Naproxen”, “Butadion” and “Indomethacin” should be referred to indirect analogues. True, their effect is somewhat different from the described drug, they also have a slightly different list of contraindications. In this regard, they will not always be able to replace Diclofenac.
Next, we find out what consumers write about the use of the drug “Diclofenac”.
Reviews about the drug
Diclofenac ointment, just like gel tablets, is not only effective for patients, but also available. In the reviews, people note the high effectiveness of this medication and report that against the background of its use, the pain subsides in a matter of minutes, returning the person's motor ability. To the shortcomings of the drug, people attribute the fact that it can not be used often.
We examined how Diclofenac Ointment helps. Instructions for tablets, injections and gel were also presented.