Advice to patients (14) Diclofenac tablets
- Diclofenac is used to relieve pain, particularly pain in the muscles and joints.
- The tablets/capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water or milk, not crushed or chewed.
- Avoid taking indigestion remedies for at least one hour before and after taking diclofenac. They can affect the special coating that makes the diclofenac work most efficiently.
- Some people have indigestion after taking diclofenac. To prevent this, diclofenac should be taken with or just after food. If indigestion or heartburn persists, you should contact your doctor.
- Other side effects that occasionally occur with diclofenac include diarrhoea, feeling sick, headache and dizziness. If you have severe indigestion (stomach pain), difficulty in breathing or a skin rash, stop taking the medicine and contact the doctor straight away.
- Problems can occur if diclofenac is taken with some other medicines. Are you taking any other prescribed medicines or medicines you have bought?
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by
pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended
as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed
medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important
points.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
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