Diclofenac

Diclofenac: use, side effects and contraindications

Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug that is widely used in the treatment of various diseases associated with inflammation and pain. It is a derivative of phenylacetic acid and is produced in various forms such as tablets, injections, substances and suppositories.

Use of diclofenac

Diclofenac is used to treat various diseases associated with pain and inflammation. It is effective in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic gouty arthritis. It can also be used for degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis deformans, osteochondrosis, as well as back pain (lumbago), sciatica, myalgia and neuralgia.

Diclofenac can also be used to treat diseases of extra-articular tissues, such as tenosynovitis, bursitis, rheumatic soft tissue disease. It can also be used to relieve post-traumatic pain syndromes accompanied by inflammation, postoperative pain, acute attacks of gout, primary dysmenorrhea, adnexitis, migraine attacks, renal and hepatic colic, as well as residual effects of pneumonia.

Diclofenac can also be used in ophthalmology for the treatment of non-infectious conjunctivitis, post-traumatic inflammation after penetrating and non-penetrating wounds of the eyeball, pain syndrome when using an excimer laser, during surgery for removal and implantation of the lens (pre- and postoperative prevention of miosis, cystoid edema of the optic nerve).

Side effects of diclofenac

Like any medicine, diclofenac can cause side effects. From the gastrointestinal tract, gastralgia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dyspepsia, flatulence and anorexia may occur. From the central nervous system, headache, dizziness and fatigue may occur.

From the hematopoietic organs, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis and hemolytic anemia may occur. When using suppositories, local irritation may occur, and when injecting solutions are administered, pain, inflammation and infection at the injection site may occur.

Diclofenac can also cause allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm and anaphylactic shock.

Contraindications for the use of diclofenac

Diclofenac has a number of contraindications for use. It is not recommended for use in cases of gastric and duodenal ulcers, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding disorders, severe liver and kidney dysfunction, pregnancy and lactation, as well as in children under 6 years of age.

You should also be careful when prescribing diclofenac if you are allergic to this drug, asthma, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hyperkalemia and while taking other medications.

In general, diclofenac is an effective drug for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation and pain. However, before use, you should consult your doctor to avoid possible side effects and complications.