Voltaren Diclofenac Sodium 75mg 100 tablets (1 * 10) * 10 StripesDiclofenac is normally taken to relieve pain, swelling, or inflammation caused by injuries and conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, painful menstruation periods, migraines, and ankylosing spondylitis.

• Diclofenac belongs to group of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They work by inhibiting a specific type of prostaglandin that causes inflammation.
  
• Diclofenac was first approved in 1998 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the brand name Voltaren. It was originally manufactured by Novartis.

Diclofenac Warnings
Diclofenac has two black-box warnings:Diclofenac can increase the risk of heart trouble and has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots — all of which can be deadly. Get emergency medical help right away if you experience signs of stroke or heart problems, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, changes in speech, or other unusual symptoms.Diclofenac can damage the lining of your stomach, putting you at risk for stomach ulcers and heartburn. Tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, nausea, or black or tarry stools.If you are about to have heart surgery, especially a procedure called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), you should not take diclofenac.If you suffer from a condition known as the “aspirin triad,” where you have allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs and develop polyps or growths in the nose, you should not take diclofenac.You should also be careful taking diclofenac and first speak to your doctor if you:

• Have ever had asthma or a strong allergic reaction, such as hives, to aspirin or other NSAIDs
  
• Congestive heart failure (CHF), recent heart attack, or high blood pressure
  
• Have a tendency to retain fluid
  
• Have a bleeding ulcer
  
• Smoke or are a heavy drinker
  
• Kidney or liver problems
  
• Any condition that includes abnormal activity of the bone marrow
  
• Any bleeding disorders, including poor clotting or blood cell abnormalities
  
• Do not take diclofenac if you are allergic to it or any of its inactive ingredients.

Diclofenac and the Elderly
If you are older, you should be careful taking diclofenac. Diclofenac tends to have very strong effects when taken by people who are older. It can put you at risk for falls and other dangerous events.In general, NSAIDs — whether purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or via prescription — can cause extreme sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, and severe stomach problems in the elderly.Pregnancy and Diclofenac
Because risk of damage to the unborn child varies during pregnancy, diclofenac falls under two FDA pregnancy categories:In the first 29 weeks of pregnancy, diclofenac has a category C rating: There is a risk of harm to the fetus, but it has not yet been confirmed in humans.During or after the 30th week of pregnancy, diclofenac has a category D rating: In this case, the drug can cause a birth defect by causing a major artery to close that nourishes the baby’s heart. So you should only take diclofenac if there are no other safer options available.Regardless, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medication.You should also alert your physician if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Diclofenac is found in breast milk, and mothers should avoid taking this drug while nursing. Side EffectsCommon Side Effects of Diclofenac:Although these side effects of diclofenac are more common, they may be very serious. Stop taking diclofenac and tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Stomach problems, including gas, bloating, pain, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea
  
• Upset stomach and/or bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or intestines
  
• Headache and ringing in the ears
  
• Rash
  

Serious Side EffectsStop taking diclofenac and get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Nosebleeds
  
• Liver damage or inflammation of the liver (watch for yellowing or graying of the skin or eyes, swelling of the abdomen or lower extremities)
  
• Low blood pressure (one sign of low blood pressure is dizziness when getting up to stand)
  
• Blood disorders, such as low platelet count, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased bone marrow activity
  
• Congestive heart failure (watch for swelling in your lower limbs, shortness of breath, trouble walking normal distances’, extra tiredness)
  
• Bruising
  
• Severe and potentially life-threatening skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (tell your doctor about any skin abnormalities; get emergency medical help right away if you have any dramatic or severe skin reactions)

Rare Side EffectsIn severe cases, diclofenac may cause a deadly liver condition known as fatal fulminant hepatitis.Get medical help if you have any yellowing or graying of the skin or eyes, if your lower extremities or abdomen is swelling, if you are extra sleepy, or become confused.Interactions
Diclofenac interacts with many different drugs. It’s always important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of the treatments you are taking.This includes not only all of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines, but also products that may not seem like medication, such as: vitamins and other dietary supplements (nutritional shakes, protein powders, etc.), and herbals along with any legal or illegal recreational drugs.
You should not take diclofenac if you are taking the following drugs:

• Apixaban (Eliquis)
  
• Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir (Stirbild)
  
• Ketorolac
  
• Ketorolac nasal spray (Sprix)
  
• Methotrexate (Trexall)
  
• Premetrexed (Alimta)
  
• Pirfinidone (Esbriet)

If you are taking any of the following, talk to your doctor about drug options other than diclofenac:

• Blood thinners, such as fondaparinux (Arixtra), dabigatran (Pradaxa) warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin) or heparin
  
• Antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), or escitalopram (Lexapro)
  
• Water pills, such as hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Microzide), chorthalidone (Thalitone), or chlorothiazide (Diuril)
  
• Beta blockers, such as acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), atenolol (Tenormin), esmolol (Brevibloc), or carvedilol (Coreg)
  
• Other NSAIDS, including: celecoxib (Celebrex), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), or etodolac (Lodine)
  
• Diabetes medications called sulfonylureas, such as glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase), and glipizide (Glucotrol)

Diclofenac and Alcohol
You should not drink alcohol while taking diclofenac. It can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and may cause damage to your kidneys.Diclofenac and Grapefruit JuiceWhether grapefruit interacts with diclofenac remains uncertain. Therefore, your best bet is to avoid all grapefruit products while taking diclofenac.Dosage
Diclofenac comes in several brands with different formulations, so depending on the brand and the condition you are treating, the recommended dose may range from 50 milligrams (mg) to 100 mg in eight- to 12-hour intervals.You should take no more than 225 mg in a day of the regular-release form. Doses of the extended-release form should not exceed 200 mg in a day.Always take diclofenac with at least 8 ounces of water. Diclofenac can be very hard on the stomach, so for best results, try taking it with food or milk.It may also help to take a drug that reduces your stomach acid, but some antacids interact with diclofenac, so you should talk to your doctor about what to take and how to time it with your diclofenac doses.Another option is to ask your doctor to write a prescription for Arthrotec, a combination drug that contains diclofenac and a stomach-protecting drug called misoprostol. If the prescription for Arthrotec is too expensive, ask your doctor to consider writing two separate prescriptions for diclofenac and misoprostol.Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or emergency room immediately.Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Diclofenac, try to take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.Do not take two doses of the medication at the same time.Note : 
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. It will effect you & your loved ones. Safety First. Please keep it in mindPrescription Only Medicine : These medicines are only available with a valid prescription from a licensed medical practitioner. Please be kind to send us the prescription by email, fax or standard mail with your order. All orders without an accompanying prescription will be rejected (see exceptions below). These measures are enforced as both a legal requirement as well as to ensure your safety.However if you are unable to send us your prescription because of any reason, please let us know and we will accommodate your request.  Eg:

• You have lost or misplaced your prescription
  
• You have to present it to the local pharmacy to buy other drugs not available with us
  
• You have received an online (eScrip) prescription.