Diclofenac
/api/v1/drug/diclofenacMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action class: Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Uses for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDADirections Use up to 21 days unless directed by your doctor Not for strains, sprains, bruises or sports injuries. This product has not been shown to work for these types of injuries. Daily Per Dose For your arthritis pain: Use 4 times per day every day Do not use on more than 2 body areas at the same time Use ENCLOSED DOSING CARD to measure a dose For each upper body area (hand, wrist, or elbow) – Squeeze out 2.25 inches (2 grams) For each lower body area (foot, ankle or knee) –Squeeze out 4.5 inches (4 grams) Read the enclosed User Guide for complete instructions: use only as directed do not use more than directed or for longer than directed apply only to clean, dry skin that does not have any cuts, open wounds, infections or rashes do not apply in same area as any other product do not apply with external heat such as heating pad do not apply a bandage over the treated area store ENCLOSED DOSING CARD with your Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1% product. The dosing card is re-usable.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDAFor external use only Allergy alert: Diclofenac may cause a severe allergic reaction, especially in people allergic to aspirin. Symptoms may include: hives asthma (wheezing) skin reddening blisters facial swelling shock rash If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away. Liver warning: This product contains diclofenac. Liver damage may occur if you apply more or for a longer time than directed when using other drugs containing diclofenac Stomach bleeding warning: This product contains an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding. The chance is small but higher if you are age 60 or older have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others) have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product apply more or for longer than directed Heart attack and stroke warning: NSAIDs, except aspirin, increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. These can be fatal. The risk is higher if you use more than directed or for longer than directed. Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other pain reliever or to a fever reducer for strains, sprains, bruises or sports injuries. This product has not been shown to work for these types of injuries.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Mar 26, 1996ANDAANDA074514Actavis Elizabeth
- Dec 24, 1997NDANDA020607Pfizer
- Aug 6, 1998ANDAANDA075219Teva
- Jan 31, 2007NDANDA021234Ibsa
- Oct 17, 2007NDANDA022122Haleon Us Holdings
- Jun 16, 2009NDANDA022202Assertio Speclty
- Jun 17, 2009NDANDA022165Assertio Speclty
- Dec 19, 2018NDANDA206976Ibsa Inst Bio
FAERS reports
- 1Drug Ineffective31,97020%
- 2Pain16,0259.9%
- 3Fatigue14,0508.6%
- 4Off Label Use13,7608.5%
- 5Product Use In Unapproved Indication13,4768.3%
- 6Arthralgia11,4157.0%
- 7Rash10,9766.8%
- 8Rheumatoid Arthritis10,7646.6%
- 9Nausea9,8246.0%
- 10Abdominal Discomfort9,7346.0%
- 11Product Use Issue9,4385.8%
- 12Joint Swelling9,0325.6%
- 13Headache8,9785.5%
- 14Alopecia8,7755.4%
- 15Systemic Lupus Erythematosus8,1815.0%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Diclofenac as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Comparative Analgesic Efficacy of Diclofenac and Ketoprofen Transdermal Patches Versus Ibuprofen Tablets for Pain Control After Initial Archwire Placement in Orthodontic Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Pain research & management · 2026 · Babaee Hemmati Y, Toghrolian APMID 42170735DOI 10.1155/prm/9922008
- Mechanistic enhancement of oral bioavailability through a coamorphous apremilast-aceclofenac systems: integrated LC-MS/MS Bioanalysis, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and PBPK modeling.European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V · 2026 · Khemchandani R, Pardhi E, Jadhav A, et al.PMID 42144121DOI 10.1016/j.ejpb.2026.115099
- Photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac using iron-doped hydrothermal carbonation carbon coupled with peroxydisulfate: Insights into reactive species contributions and degradation pathways via density functional theory.Bioresource technology · 2026 · Zhang C, Zhang Y, Cheng Y, et al.PMID 42119742DOI 10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134851
- Modulation of emerging pollutants toxicity by sodium dodecyl sulfate in a marine green microalga.Environmental research · 2026 · Pessoa JDS, Santos LFD, Leite ARB, et al.PMID 42103258DOI 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124673
- Analgesic Efficacy of Shangdiao Music Combined with Diclofenac Sodium Suppositories after Mixed Haemorrhoid Surgery.Noise & health · 2026 · Lu B, Wu Z, Liu M, et al.PMID 42085096DOI 10.4103/nah.nah_123_25
- Tr14 gel compared to diclofenac gel after acute unilateral ankle sprain: an Individual Patient Data (IPD) meta-analysis of two multi-center trials.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026 · Vester J, Gerdesmeyer L, Kerkhoffs G, et al.PMID 42067889DOI 10.1186/s12891-026-09802-0
- Evaluation of Hemoadsorption Capacity of the CytoSorb Adsorber for Toxic Doses of Diclofenac and Meloxicam in Porcine Plasma.Journal of clinical apheresis · 2026 · Giani B, Dörfelt R, Hartmann K, et al.PMID 42065652DOI 10.1002/jca.70130
- Prophylactic use of rectal diclofenac in mitigating post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis risk and severity: low- vs high-dose efficacy and timing strategies— a meta-analysis.Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina · 2026 · Liberty M, Sungkar T, Liberty P, et al.PMID 42047061DOI 10.17392/2057-23-01
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 584 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Diclofenac as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Weight-Adjusted Diclofenac Potassium Medicated Lollipop for Post-Adenotonsillectomy Pain in ChildrenCompleted · Interventional · 50 enrolled · Hospital Universitario de CaracasNCT07646093updated 2026-06-12
- Acute Low Back Pain. Topical Diclofenac and Oral Ibuprofen.Completed · Phase 4 · Interventional · 198 enrolled · Montefiore Medical CenterNCT04611529updated 2026-06-11
- Comparative Evaluation of Transdermal and Oral Drugs for Management of Post-Endodontic PainCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Nims University RajasthanNCT07610265updated 2026-06-10
- The Effect of Different Intracanal Medicaments on Periapical Lesion HealingRecruiting · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Mustafa Kemal UniversityNCT07237620updated 2026-06-08
- Effect of Abdominal Ice Pack After vNOTES HysterectomyEnrolling by invitation · Interventional · 122 enrolled · Erzincan Military HospitalNCT07626684updated 2026-06-04
- An Efficacy and Safety Study of Tramadol/Acetaminophen Versus Diclofenac in the Treatment of Pain in Participants With Ankylosing Spondylitis Receiving Stable Treatment of Disease Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)Terminated · Phase 4 · Interventional · 8 enrolled · Johnson & Johnson Taiwan LtdNCT00766402updated 2026-06-04
- Contribution of UGT2B17 to the Pharmacokinetics of DiclofenacRecruiting · Early phase 1 · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Washington State UniversityNCT06053411updated 2026-06-04
- Study of PHN131 in Patients After SurgeryCompleted · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 106 enrolled · PhytoHealth CorporationNCT02193620updated 2026-06-01
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Patellar Dislocation Pain: A Concurrent Non-Randomized Controlled TrialActive not recruiting · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Peking University Third HospitalNCT07613346updated 2026-05-29
- Intra-nasal Ketorolac for Acute Ureteral Stent-associated Pain Following Ureteroscopy for Stone DiseaseRecruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterNCT06158620updated 2026-05-27
Pharmacogenomics
CPIC-curated drug–gene pairs for Diclofenac. Levels describe the strength of curated evidence and guideline status — never a recommendation to test or to adjust therapy.
- CYP2C8CPIC CClinPGx 3
- CYP2C9CPIC CClinPGx 3
Frequently asked questions
- How does Diclofenac work?
- Mechanism-of-action class: Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors.
- What is Diclofenac used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Diclofenac carries indications including: Uses for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Diclofenac?
- Diclofenac is classified as Acetic acid derivatives and related substances, Antiinflammatory agents, non-steroids, Antiinflammatory preparations, non-steroids for topical use, Other dermatologicals, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug, Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors, Decreased Prostaglandin Production.
- What are the brand names for Diclofenac?
- Diclofenac is marketed under brand names including Aleve Arthritis Pain, Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Flector, Licart, Lofena, Pennsaid.
diclofenac is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.