When the pain covers with the head, you must urgently look for a tool that will help get rid of it. The presence of Diclofenac tablets in a home medicine cabinet will be a salvation in such a situation. How this drug works, in what cases it helps, especially its use and contraindications - information from the article will help to get answers to all questions.

Composition (active substance), release form

The active component of the drug is diclofenac, which belongs to the NSAID group, namely, phenylacetic acid derivatives. Drugs based on this substance include a sodium salt compound.

Among several forms of release of this drug, the most convenient for storage and use is tablet.

In pharmacies without a prescription, you can buy different types of pills:

  • conventional tablets with 25 mg of active ingredient;
  • enteric form with an increased amount of diclofenac - 50 mg;
  • prolonged action capsules - 100 mg.

Under the word "ordinary" refers to drugs that have a simple shell based on starch, povidone and magnesium stearate. It begins to dissolve quickly immediately after administration, along the path of the digestive tract. Round convex tablets have an orange shell, white inside.

Capsules "Diclofenac retard" (from the English retard - "delay", "slow down", "pull") are much slower to act.

The tablets are coated with a pink film based on hyetellose, providing a gradual dissolution of the drug. That is, after taking the pill, there is no instant release of the active component, but its regular release over a long time.

Tablets are packaged in packs of 20, 30, 50 or 100 pieces. One blister can hold 5, 10 or 20 pills.

Pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics

Prostaglandins - mediators that increase the sensitivity of receptors to pain perception - are produced in the body by certain enzymes. Phenylacetic acid sodium salt inhibits the appearance of this enzyme (cyclooxygenase), reducing pain by reducing the speed of the inflammatory process.

The drug has a complex effect on the source of pain and general condition:

  • anesthetizes;
  • relieves swelling;
  • slows down the further development of the inflammatory process;
  • knocks down the temperature;
  • reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions.

Immediately after taking the pill, they begin to act. The active substance from ordinary tablets reaches its maximum concentration in the blood after 2 hours, and after taking prolonged-action capsules, after 4.

"Diclofenac" stands out among other anti-inflammatory drugs with high efficiency and speed of action. Its antipyretic and analgesic effect is especially prevailing.

After absorption and exposure to the production of enzymes, about 60% of the drug is excreted in the metabolized form with urine, the rest with bile. Only 0.5 - 1% of the drug is excreted unchanged.

What helps diclofenac tablets

At the beginning of its appearance, in the 60s of the last century, the drug was used exclusively for the treatment of various diseases of a rheumatological nature.

Among them:

  • intervertebral hernia;
  • arthritis of various origins;
  • osteochondrosis;
  • gout;
  • radiculitis;
  • inflammation of the muscles and joints;
  • spondylitis;
  • rheumatism;
  • bursitis;
  • osteoarthrosis.

Gradually, the scope of the drug has expanded.

Now the drug is prescribed by doctors of different specializations to relieve pain and eliminate inflammatory processes of various origins.

You can take "Diclofenac":

  • in the presence of neuralgic symptoms;
  • to eliminate migraines;
  • with myalgia;
  • after surgery to reduce pain;
  • with toothache;
  • with inflammation of the pelvic organs;
  • with painful periods in women;
  • with proctitis, prostatitis;
  • after injuries, sprains (including sports);
  • to reduce the symptoms of acute infectious diseases - sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis;
  • with inflammation of the eyes;
  • for relief of acute hepatic pain.

In each case, when deciding to take the drug, one must be based on the severity of the symptoms. Treatment can begin only after consulting a doctor and a detailed study of the instructions.

Age restrictions on admission

The high effectiveness of the drug has a flip side - it has an increased toxic effect on the body.

Therefore, tablets are prescribed to patients, starting from 8 years old, having a body weight of at least 25 kilograms. Children at this age take pills with 25 mg of the active ingredient.

A drug containing 50 mg of diclofenac sodium is contraindicated in children under 14 years of age. Only after reaching this age are treatment options for such pills considered.

Diclofenac 100 mg tablets can be taken only by adults (from the age of 18).

In elderly patients, the course of therapy using the drug should occur under the close supervision of a physician and during regular examinations. This approach will help to avoid unpleasant side effects of a potent medicine.

Instructions for use of diclofenac tablets

The main rule is that you can’t prescribe a drug on your own, since for many people it can be contraindicated. The instruction indicates the only exception to this rule, when the patient is required after surgery to reduce tissue swelling.

The tablets are taken orally, they must be swallowed whole, not chewed, washed down with a small amount of liquid.

Eating does not affect the absorption of the drug, but slightly slows down the process. Therefore, if there is a need for urgent relief of pain, then it is better to drink tablets half an hour before meals to increase the speed of action. Standard reception - with food or after a meal.

Diclofenac tablets 25 mg

Such a dosage of the drug is suitable for small patients. Tablets are prescribed for children over 8 years old with a weight of more than 25 kg. The daily dose is determined from the calculation of 0.3 to 2 mg of active substance per 1 kilogram of the mass of the child and is evenly distributed over 3 doses.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis requires an increased dose - up to 3 mg per 1 kilogram. In this case, you can not exceed the maximum allowable amount of active substance - 150 mg per day.

50 mg

14-year-olds, as well as older patients, take 1 tablet two or three times a day. Do not exceed the daily dosage of 150 mg. If the treatment is delayed, the dose is reduced to 75 mg per day.

With painful menstruation, the course of treatment and the dose are selected individually. Usually this is not more than two tablets per day immediately after the first signs of dysmenorrhea appear.

Diclofenac tablets 100 mg

Sustained-release drug is prescribed only to adult patients.

Dose - no more than one capsule per day. It is necessary to take a pill when the pain manifests itself especially: in the morning or at night.

The course of such treatment is no more than 14 days.

Can I use the drug during pregnancy and lactation

During the gestation period, it is necessary to take into account the harm that a potent drug can cause to the development of the fetus. Therefore, the doctor prescribes the medicine only in cases where the need to stop the symptoms of inflammation is more important than the possible risk.

But the third trimester of pregnancy is an absolute contraindication. Taking medication during this period can cause complications during childbirth. Indeed, “Diclofenac” reduces the ability of the uterus to contract and can cause increased bleeding during delivery.

Mothers of infants can use the drug, taking into account the correct dosage.

The substance passes into breast milk in an insignificant amount that does not pose a threat to the baby. However, only a doctor makes the decision to prescribe a medicine.

Drug Interactions with Other Drugs

  • Anticoagulants and other NSAIDs along with the drug increase the risk of internal bleeding.
  • The combination of diclofenac sodium and GCS enhances side effects in the form of digestive problems.
  • The action of digoxin, phenytoin and lithium preparations is enhanced.
  • The effect of antihypertensive, hypnotics, hypoglycemic and diuretics is reduced.
  • Paracetamol, cyclosporine and methotrexate increase toxic effects on the kidneys.
  • Acetylsalicylic acid reduces the effect of the drug.
  • Chilonic antibiotics in combination with diclofenac can cause seizures.

Contraindications, side effects and overdose

Tablets should not be taken by people with categorical prohibitions due to the nature of their condition or the presence of certain diseases.

Among them:

  • individuals with individual sensitivity to the drug;
  • couples preparing for conception;
  • patients with hematopoiesis dysfunctions;
  • infertile people;
  • children under 8 years old (for 25 mg tablets), up to 14 years old (50 mg), up to 18 years old (retard);
  • pregnant in the 3rd trimester;
  • asthmatics;
  • "Cores";
  • people with a stomach ulcer, bleeding in the digestive tract;
  • patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency.

The following list of contraindications is not so categorical, but advisory.

The doctor should prescribe the drug with caution in such cases:

  • high blood sugar or cholesterol;
  • hypertension;
  • elderly age;
  • hyperthermia in children;
  • 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy;
  • anemia;
  • lactation period.

The drug has a toxic effect on many body systems. Therefore, the list of side effects indicated in the instructions is impressive.

Among the most likely:

  • abdominal pain;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • flatulence, diarrhea;
  • dizziness, general weakness;
  • visual impairment;
  • malfunctions of the menstrual cycle;
  • drowsiness, trouble falling asleep;
  • kidney dysfunction;
  • skin rash, eczema;
  • tremor;
  • decrease or increase in blood pressure;
  • anemia.

A dangerous complication of the drug is that it causes a high risk of developing myocardial infarction with prolonged treatment. Therefore, therapy should be carried out with minimally effective doses.

An overdose is characterized by severe digestive disorders and headache, seizures are possible.

Diclofenac tablets analogs

The drug in its category is affordable, so the question of replacing it with another, similar in action tool, arises most often due to contraindications.

Among the full analogues of the medicine available in the pharmacy network, there are:

  • Ortofen;
  • Adolor
  • Argette
  • Diklak
  • Voltaren;
  • "Bioran".

They have diclofenac in sodium, only in a different concentration and with other auxiliary components.

Also, doctors, depending on the symptoms of the disease, choose other effective drugs among the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

  • “Ketanov”, “Emodol” with ketorolac;
  • Aertal, Zerodol with aceclofenac;
  • "Nimesil", "Nise" with nimesulide;
  • "Imet", "Ibufen", "Nurofen" with ibuprofen;
  • "Movalgin", "Melbek", "Movalis" with meloxicam.

Medicines can not be replaced on their own. This can only be done if the doctor made such an appointment. After all, each drug has its own indications and contraindications.

For treatment, all factors should be considered, then therapy will be effective and as safe as possible.

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