Diclofenac sodium: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use in rheumatic diseases and pain of varying origin.
Diclofenac sodium, a phenylacetic acid derivative, is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic agent advocated for use in rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease, ankylosing spondylitis and allied conditions, and in the treatment of pain resulting from minor surgery, trauma and dysmenorrhoea. Published data indicate that diclofenac 75 to 150mg daily (25 to 50mg 3 times daily) is comparable in efficacy with ordinary aspirin 3 to 5g daily and indomethacin 75 to 150mg daily in rheumatoid arthritis and with indomethacin in osteoarthritis. Available data suggest that in patients with osteoarthritis diclofenac sodium is comparable in efficacy and tolerability with naproxen, ibuprofen, sulindac and diflunisal. As oral diclofenac is generally given in 3 divided daily doses it may be at a disadvantage relative to less frequent administration with naproxen, diflunisal and sulindac in rheumatoid arthritis, although there is some evidence of diclofenac's efficacy when administered twice daily, or once daily as a slow release tablet. The drug is also available as suppositories and ampoules for intramuscular injection. No one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents is the most suitable drug for all patients requiring such therapy, and diclofenac should be considered along with other drugs of its type in the arthritic patient.
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy; D014456:Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D010648:Phenylacetates; D004008:Diclofenac; D009288:Naproxen; D001241:Aspirin; D007052:Ibuprofen; D007213:Indomethacin