Medicines that contain diclofenac sodium as the main active substance are widely used to treat inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the human musculoskeletal structures. The low cost of these drugs and high efficiency makes them very popular among patients. What are all these tools? What are their features? What should be considered when prescribing each dosage form of diclofenac sodium? Find out the answers to these and many other questions right now.
Dosage Forms
To date, diclofenac sodium, the price of which is considered one of the most affordable, is available in the form of tablets, ointments and gel for external use, rectal suppositories and injection. The drugs have the same active substance, belonging to the group of non - steroidal anti - inflammatory drugs. Dosage forms for external use are intended for prolonged use, while diclofenac sodium in ampoules (solution) is recommended for use at the initial stage of treatment. In more detail, treatment regimens using different forms of the same medicine will be considered later. And now it is worthwhile to examine in more detail each form mentioned above.
Description of drugs
So, let's figure out how the drugs produced under the name "Diclofenac Sodium" actually look like. Tablets with this name, as a rule, have a flat round shape with chamfers and notch on one side. Their color varies, depending on the manufacturer, from white to pink. Another dosage form called Voltaren or Diclofenac Sodium is an ointment that has an oily, viscous structure. Its color can be both white and slightly yellowish. The smell of the ointment is weak, most closely resembles alcohol. The gel of the same name has a lighter structure and transparent white with mother of pearl color.
Rectal suppositories called "Diclofenac" or "Voltaren" (similar in composition) look like torpedo-shaped candles of white color. Solution for injection with diclofenac sodium is transparent, painted in a light yellow or brownish color. This dosage form has a slight odor resembling benzyl alcohol.
Composition of ointment, solution, suppositories and tablets
The appearance, smell and color of drugs is not an indicator of their quality and effectiveness. No one will argue that the composition of the drugs is of the greatest importance. That is why it is worth considering each dosage form from this point of view. As the name implies, the main active ingredient in tablets, ointments, gel and solution is diclofenac sodium. The amount of it in each medicine is different. For a more convenient perception of this information, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following table.
Dosage form | The content of the active substance (g) | Additional components |
Oral tablets | 0.025; 0.05; 0.075; 0.15 | Starches, parabens, propylene glycol, dyes, stabilizers and thickeners |
Rectal suppositories | 0.025; 0.05; 0.1 | Vitepsol, propylene glycol, aerosil, solid fats |
Injection | 0, 025; 0,075 | Water, benzyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide, sodium pyrosulfate, mannitol, propylene glycol |
Gel | 0,01; 0.05 | Propylene glycol, water, polyethylene oxides, nipazole, nipagin |
Ointment | 0.01 | Polyethylene oxides, nipagin, propylene glycol |
Diclofenac sodium (candles) are packed in special contour plastic packaging of 5 pieces each. One or two of these cells are placed in a cardboard box with instructions for use.
Tablets are placed in packs of 10 pieces, and then in cardboard boxes of 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 each. Thus, one box can contain from 10 to 100 tablets.
The solution is poured into glass transparent ampoules of 3 ml each, which are then placed in strips of 5 pieces. One cardboard box contains 5 or 10 ampoules with a solution.
Ointments and gels are packed in aluminum and plastic tubes, respectively. Each tube contains 30 or 40 g of ointment, 40, 50, 60 or 100 g of gel. They are packed together with instructions for use in cardboard boxes.
Indications for use
Diclofenac sodium is recommended for use in a number of diseases associated with inflammatory processes. As a rule, this tool is often used to relieve pain in the postoperative period and during recovery from injuries. In addition, drugs containing diclofenac sodium (ointment, suppositories, tablets and solution) are widely used for the treatment of degenerative inflammatory diseases of the joint, cartilage and muscle tissue. Neuralgia, arthritis and arthrosis, sciatica, rheumatism, bursitis and many other ailments are successfully treated with these drugs.
Instructions for use
When prescribing all dosage forms, the basis of which is diclofenac sodium, the doctor takes into account not only parameters such as the severity of the disease, but also draws attention to the weight and age of the patient. What treatment regimens can be distinguished?
Tablets are prescribed for patients over 6 years of age (for children - according to strict indications). The daily dose is usually not more than 200 mg. The recommended amount of the drug must be taken in several doses, preferably after a meal. After stabilization of the patient's condition, diclofenac sodium (tablets) is taken in the minimum dosage (calculated by the attending physician). The duration of treatment depends on the degree of tissue damage.
The solution "Diclofenac" or "Voltaren" (injections), the price of which is usually slightly higher than oral agents, is prescribed at the initial stage of treatment of pain or in acute conditions. The daily dose is 75 mg. It is possible to use this dosage form as a "blockade". In this case, the drug is administered twice (75 mg per injection) with an interval of 2-3 hours. The duration of treatment with injections is a maximum of 5 days.
Ointments and gels with diclofenac sodium are most often used as an additional tool in the treatment of arthrosis, bruises and rheumatism. You need to apply the product on clean skin in small portions, rubbing it thoroughly. It is necessary to use no more than 8 g of ointment or gel per day.
Suppositories "Diclofenac" are used to eliminate painful symptoms in gout, spondylitis, neuralgia and muscle pain. It is necessary to use no more than 2 suppositories per day.
Drug interaction
Preparations containing diclofenac sodium (tablets, ointments, injections or suppositories) may interact with other drugs. For example, they cannot be taken together with other NSAIDs and glucocorticosteroids. This combination often leads to the development of complications, in particular, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, this compound can enhance the toxic properties of methotrexate. The pharmaceutical effect of antihypertensive drugs and some antibiotics, in contrast, decreases when they are taken with sodium diclofenac.
To minimize the likelihood of negative consequences, the patient should always inform the attending physician that he is taking Diclofenac or Voltaren medications.
Contraindications
Diclofenac sodium also has contraindications. According to experts, preparations with this substance should never be taken by those people who have a history of even minor bleeding in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. the fact is that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs negatively affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum. This also applies to drugs from the Voltaren series. Injections, the price of which is relatively low, despite intramuscular administration, act on the digestive system in the same way as tablets taken orally.
The instruction does not recommend prescribing the medicine to patients suffering from diseases of the liver and kidneys. Only in some cases, external dosage forms of diclofenac sodium can be used: ointments and gels. The same recommendations apply to pregnant women (especially in the third trimester) and nursing mothers. It is strongly not recommended to use diclofenac sodium for the treatment of children under the age of 6 years.
A serious contraindication to the use of diclofenac sodium is an allergic reaction to NSAIDs, manifested in the form of rhinitis and urticaria. Do not take this medicine with bronchial asthma.
Side effects
Is it possible the appearance of unwanted reactions of the body to taking drugs containing diclofenac? Of course, these phenomena are inevitable in about half the cases. The most common side effect when using drugs with this compound is considered to be digestive upset in the form of abdominal pain, increased gas, heartburn, and more. Patients can often develop ulcers on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. It does not matter what dosage form is used. In rare cases, drowsiness and constant irritability may disturb the patient.
Regarding the use of the solution, experts indicate the possibility of necrosis of fatty tissues at the injection site, the formation of a purulent focus and a burning sensation in the muscles. Of course, this happens extremely rarely (one case per 10,000). Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to carefully monitor the condition of the skin during treatment with drugs based on diclofenac sodium.
If any signs appear that indicate an adverse reaction of the body to the administration of the drug, it is worthwhile to inform the attending physician about them more quickly.
Overdose
An overdose of NSAIDs, which include Diclofenac and Voltaren, is fraught with an increase in the above side effects. The treatment is symptomatic. At the same time, taking medications that cause an overdose should be temporarily stopped.
Storage conditions
Keep all dosage forms of diclofenac sodium away from heaters and bright light sources. The temperature in the room should not exceed 25 degrees. It is important to ensure that even external products cannot fall into the hands of a child, especially a small one. Children under the age of 6 years when applying too much ointment to the skin can get serious poisoning.
Shelf life of drugs is usually 2 years from the date of manufacture. After this period, the medicine must be disposed of.