Drugs containing diclofenac sodium as the main active ingredient 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 with patients. What are all these means? What are their features? What should be considered when prescribing each dosage form of diclofenac sodium? We will find out the answers to these and many other questions right now.
Dose forms
Today, diclofenac sodium, the price of which is considered one of the most affordable, is available in the form of tablets, ointment and gel for external use, rectal suppositories and injection solution. The drugs have the same active ingredient, belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Dosage forms for external use are intended for long-term use, while diclofenac sodium in ampoules (solution) is recommended for use at the initial stage of treatment. More detailed treatment regimens using different formsof the same medication will be discussed later. Now let's take a closer look at each form mentioned above.
Drug descriptions
So, let's see 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 a risk on one side. Their color varies, depending on the manufacturer, from white to pink. Another dosage form called "Voltaren" or "Diclofenac sodium" - ointment, has an oily viscous structure. Its color can be either white or slightly yellowish. The smell of the ointment is weak, most of all reminiscent of alcohol. The gel of the same name has a lighter structure and a transparent white with mother-of-pearl color.
Rectal suppositories called "Diclofenac" or "Voltaren" (analogue in composition) look like white torpedo-shaped suppositories. Solution for injection with diclofenac sodium is clear, light yellow or brownish in color. This dosage form has a slight odor reminiscent of 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 preparations 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 of the tablets, ointment, gel and solution is sodium diclofenac. Its quantity inevery medicine is different. For a more convenient perception of this information, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following table.
| Dose form | Content of active ingredient (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 | Witepsol, propylene glycol, aerosil, solid fats |
| Injectable solution | 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 (suppositories) are packed in special plastic blisters, 5 pieces each. One or two such cells are placed in a cardboard box with instructions for use.
Pills are placed in contour 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 transparent glass ampoules of 3 ml each, which are then placed in strips of 5 pieces. One carton contains 5 or 10 ampoules of 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 instructions for use recommends the use of a number of diseases associated with inflammatory processes. As a rule, this remedy is very 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 articular, cartilage and muscle tissues. 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 based on diclofenac sodium, the doctor takes into account not only such parameters as the severity of the disease, but also pays attention to the weight and age of the patient. What treatment regimens can be identified?
Pills are prescribed for patients older than 6 years (children - according to strict indications). The daily dose in this case usually does not exceed 200 mg. The recommended amount of the drug should be takenin several doses, preferably after meals. 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.
Solution "Diclofenac" or "Voltaren" (injections), the price of which is usually slightly higher than oral medications, are prescribed at the initial stage of pain treatment 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 adjunct in the treatment of arthrosis, bruises and rheumatism. Apply the product to clean skin in small portions, rubbing thoroughly. No more than 8 g of ointment or gel should be used per day.
Candles "Diclofenac" are used to eliminate the painful symptoms of gout, spondylitis, neuralgia and muscle pain. No more than 2 suppositories should be used per day.
Drug Interactions
Medicines containing diclofenac sodium (tablets, ointments, injections or suppositories) may interact with other medicines. For example, they should not be taken in conjunction with other NSAIDs and glucocorticosteroids. This combination often leads to the development of complications, in particular, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.intestinal tract. In addition, this compound can enhance the toxic properties of methotrexate. The pharmaceutical effect of antihypertensive drugs and some antibiotics, on the contrary, is reduced when they are taken together with diclofenac sodium.
To minimize the likelihood of negative consequences, the patient should always inform the attending physician that he is taking Diclofenac or Voltaren.
Contraindications
Diclofenac sodium and contraindications exist. According to experts, preparations with this substance should not be taken categorically by those persons who have had even minor bleeding in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract in their anamnesis. the fact is that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a negative effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum 12. This also applies to drugs from the Voltaren series. Injections, which are relatively inexpensive, despite intramuscular injection, act on the digestive system in the same way as oral tablets.
The instruction does not recommend prescribing the medicine to patients suffering from liver and kidney diseases. Only in some cases can external dosage forms of diclofenac sodium be used: ointments and gels. The same recommendations apply to pregnant women (especially in the third trimester) and nursing mothers. The use of diclofenac sodium in children under 6 years of age is strongly discouraged.
A serious contraindication to the use of diclofenac sodium is consideredan allergic reaction to NSAIDs, manifested in the form of rhinitis and urticaria. Do not take this medicine if you have 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 of the cases. The most common side effect when using drugs with this compound is considered to be indigestion in the form of abdominal pain, increased gas formation, heartburn, and others. Often, patients may develop ulcers on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. It does not matter which dosage form is used. In rare cases, the patient may experience drowsiness and constant irritability.
Regarding the use of the solution, experts point out 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 (once in 10,000). Nevertheless, you should 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 worth informing the attending physician about them as soon as possible.
Overdose
An overdose of NSAIDs, which include Diclofenac and Voltaren, is fraught with an increase in the above side effects. Treatment is symptomatic. At the same time, the intake of drugs that causedoverdose, must be temporarily discontinued.
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 agents cannot fall into the hands of a child, especially a small one. Children under 6 years of age can get serious poisoning if too much ointment is applied to the skin.
The shelf life of drugs is usually 2 years from the date of manufacture. After this period, the medicines must be disposed of.
