Diclofenac: Information on dosage, potential side effects, applications, and additional details
Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of certain types of arthritis in adults, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. However, the long-term use of diclofenac can lead to serious side effects that require careful medical monitoring.
Key long-term effects include:
- Gastrointestinal risks: Chronic use of diclofenac can increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events, such as inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and even perforation of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Hepatotoxicity: Regular diclofenac use can cause significant elevations in liver enzymes, reflecting liver injury in about 2-4% of patients. Marked elevations, indicating serious liver damage, occur in about 1% of patients.
- Kidney damage: Over time, NSAIDs like diclofenac can impair kidney function by reducing renal blood flow, potentially causing sodium and fluid retention, high blood pressure, and various kidney conditions. Combining diclofenac with certain blood pressure medicines greatly increases this risk.
- Cardiovascular risks: Diclofenac can raise blood pressure and may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, especially in patients with pre-existing heart disease or risk factors. Patients with congestive heart failure or ischemic heart disease are advised against its use.
Because of these risks, diclofenac is generally prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. For long-term arthritis treatment, it may be combined with protective agents like omeprazole to reduce GI side effects, but monitoring for liver and kidney function remains essential.
Patients should inform their doctors of any liver, kidney, or heart issues before starting diclofenac and report symptoms such as stomach pain, unusual bleeding, jaundice, or edema.
Diclofenac is available in two forms: delayed-release tablets and extended-release tablets. The dosage depends on several factors, including the type and severity of the condition being treated, age, form of diclofenac, and other medical conditions.
It's important to note that diclofenac has FDA boxed warnings about serious risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding/ulcers and cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. Diclofenac may also interact with several other medications, such as other NSAIDs, blood thinners, antiplatelets, and certain heart and kidney medications.
In rare cases, NSAIDs such as diclofenac may cause reversible infertility in females. While diclofenac may pass into breast milk, it isn't known if the drug causes side effects in a child who is breastfed.
In summary, the long-term effects of diclofenac include gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers, liver enzyme elevations and potential liver damage, kidney impairment and hypertension, and increased cardiovascular risk, which require careful medical monitoring during chronic therapy.
- In addition to arthritis, diclofenac is sometimes used to manage other inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis.
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- AbbVie, a research-based biopharmaceutical company, has developed treatments for various diseases, including Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hepatitis C.
- Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain arthritic conditions can coexist and contribute to each other's severity, leading to complications in managing the associated symptoms.
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- The science of pharmacology can help us understand the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects and side effects of drugs like diclofenac, allowing for more targeted and less harmful treatments.
- Some studies suggest that long-term use of certain NSAIDs, including diclofenac, might carry a slight risk of developing conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis or spondylitis, primarily affecting the spinal joints.
- Regular monitoring of health conditions, medication interactions, and side effects is crucial when taking diclofenac for extended periods; this helps ensure optimal health and wellness during treatment.
- Managing diseases like arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, and others often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining medications, lifestyle changes, and mindfulness practices to achieve optimal health outcomes.
