If you’ve ever experienced joint pain, inflammation, or post-operative discomfort, you know how much it can affect your daily life. Luckily, there’s a medication that can help you find relief – Diclogesic. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what Diclogesic is, how it works, its uses, side effects, and more. So, let’s get started!

Understanding Diclogesic: A Powerful Pain-Reliever

What is Diclogesic? Diclogesic is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that contains the active ingredient diclofenac sodium. It possesses marked anti-rheumatic, analgesic, and antipyretic properties, making it effective for various painful conditions.
How does Diclogesic work? When taken orally or as a rectal suppository, diclofenac sodium is rapidly absorbed by the body. It may be absorbed more slowly when given as an enteric-coated tablet, especially if taken with food. Once absorbed, diclofenac is subject to first-pass metabolism, meaning only about 50% of the drug reaches the systemic circulation in its unchanged form. The drug is mainly eliminated through metabolism and excretion in the urine and bile. The terminal plasma half-life of diclofenac is relatively short, about 1 to 2 hours.

Indications: When to Use Diclogesic

Diclogesic is commonly used to treat the following conditions:

Inflammatory and degenerative forms of rheumatism, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, and spondylarthritis.
Painful syndromes of the vertebral column and non-articular rheumatism.
Inflammation and swelling after dental and orthopedic surgeries.
Acute attacks of gout.
Post-traumatic and post-operative pain.
Painful inflammatory conditions in gynecology and primary dysmenorrhea.

Contraindications: When NOT to Use Diclogesic

Diclogesic should not be used in the following cases:

If you have known hypersensitivity to diclofenac sodium or any other ingredients in the medication.
If you have a history of peptic ulcer.
If you have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Potential Side Effects of Diclogesic

While Diclogesic is generally well-tolerated, like all medications, it may cause side effects. Here are some possible side effects:

Gastrointestinal tract: Occasional stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dyspepsia, flatulence, anorexia, and in very rare cases, gastrointestinal bleeding or gastric/intestinal ulcers.
Central nervous system: Occasional headache, dizziness, vertigo, and rare drowsiness.
Skin: Occasional rashes and rare cases of urticaria (hives).
Kidneys: Rare cases of edema, acute renal failure, and urinary abnormalities.
Blood: Rare cases of thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis.
Liver: Occasional elevation of liver enzymes and rare cases of hepatitis.
Hypersensitivity: Rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions, such as asthma and systemic anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, including hypotension.
Special senses: Disturbances of vision, impaired hearing, tinnitus, and taste disturbances.

Important Precautions When Using Diclogesic

Before taking Diclogesic, keep these precautions in mind:

Gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration can occur without warning symptoms, especially in the elderly, so discontinue the drug if any such symptoms arise.
Allergic reactions, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, are possible, even without prior exposure to the drug.
Monitor liver function during prolonged treatment, and if abnormal liver function tests persist or worsen, discontinue Diclogesic.
Caution is advised in the elderly and low body weight patients, and the lowest effective dosage should be used.
If you are taking Diclogesic 50mg tablets, be aware that they contain sunset yellow, which may cause hypersensitivity reactions.

Drug Interactions: What to Avoid with Diclogesic

Diclogesic can interact with other drugs, leading to potential complications. Here are some important interactions to be aware of:

Avoid concomitant use of diclofenac and aspirin, as it may lead to lower plasma concentrations of diclofenac.
Diclofenac may increase the toxicity of drugs like digoxin, methotrexate, cyclosporin, and lithium. Close monitoring is essential, especially if renal function is impaired.
Diclofenac does not usually affect glucose metabolism or oral hypoglycemic agents, but some rare cases have been reported.
Diclofenac and other NSAIDs may inhibit the activity of diuretics, and combining with potassium-sparing diuretics may lead to increased serum potassium levels.

Dosage and Administration

The appropriate dosage of Diclogesic varies depending on the condition being treated. Here are some general guidelines:

The recommended initial daily dosage is 100-150mg, which can be divided into 2-3 doses.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The recommended dosage is 100-200mg/day.
Osteoarthritis: The recommended dosage is 100-150mg/day in 2 or 3 divided doses.
Ankylosing spondylitis: The recommended dosage is 100-125mg/day.
Primary dysmenorrhea: The recommended dosage is 50mg three times daily, and some patients may benefit from an initial dose of 100mg followed by 50mg doses.

Overdosage and Storage

If you accidentally take too much Diclogesic, seek medical attention immediately. Store the tablets and capsules in a dry place below 25°C, protect them from light, and do not freeze the suppositories.

Presentation: Available Forms of Diclogesic

Diclogesic comes in various forms to suit different needs:

Enteric Coated Tablets (25mg and 50mg)
Retard Film-Coated Tablets (100mg)
Retard Capsules (100mg)
Suppositories (50mg and 100mg)
Gel
Ampoules (75mg)
Eye Drops

Remember, Diclogesic should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and it’s essential to follow the prescribed dosage and instructions.

Whether it’s joint pain, post-operative discomfort, or inflammation, Diclogesic can be your ally in finding relief. However, always consult your healthcare provider to ensure that Diclogesic is the right fit for you. Stay informed, stay healthy!

Diclogesic – PIL (arabic leaflet)

Diclogesic – PIL (english leaflet)

The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system is a widely used international system for classifying drugs based on their therapeutic and pharmacological properties. The ATC code for a drug consists of seven alphanumeric characters that provide information about the drug’s anatomical, therapeutic, and chemical characteristics.

Let’s break down the ATC code for diclofenac sodium:

Anatomical main group (1st level): The first character represents the anatomical main group, which classifies drugs based on the organ or system on which they act. For diclofenac sodium, the first character is “M,” which indicates that the drug primarily affects the Musculoskeletal system.
Therapeutic subgroup (2nd level): The second character further classifies the drug into a therapeutic subgroup within the main anatomical group. For diclofenac sodium, the second character is “01,” which places it in the subgroup of Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products.
Pharmacological subgroup (3rd level): The third character narrows down the classification by specifying the drug’s pharmacological action or mechanism of action. For diclofenac sodium, the third character is “A,” which means it is an Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic product (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug – NSAID).
Chemical subgroup (4th level): The fourth character identifies the chemical subgroup to which the drug belongs. In the case of diclofenac sodium, the fourth character is “02,” indicating it is a derivative of Acetic acid.
Chemical substance (5th level): The fifth character is left blank for future use or to specify a particular salt or ester form of the drug. In the case of diclofenac sodium, the fifth character would be “A” to specify the sodium salt form.
ATC code extension (6th and 7th level): The sixth and seventh characters, if present, are used for additional classification or alternative presentations of the drug. They may indicate different formulations, dosages, or routes of administration. These characters are not always used and are often left blank.

So, the complete ATC code for diclofenac sodium is M01AB05. Here’s what each part of the code means:

M: Musculoskeletal system
01: Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products
A: Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products, non-steroids (NSAIDs)
B: Acetic acid derivatives
05: Diclofenac (specifically the sodium salt form)

The ATC code helps healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulatory agencies to easily identify and classify drugs for various purposes, including drug utilization studies, pharmacovigilance, and comparing drug usage patterns across different regions.