Diclofenac oral tablets side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved diclofenac oral tablets to treat symptoms caused by:

• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• ankylosing spondylitis
• mild to moderate pain
• pain before or during menstrual periods

This article describes possible side effects of diclofenac oral tablets. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for diclofenac. You can explore this overview article to learn more about diclofenac, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac oral tablets are generic versions of the brand-name drug Cataflam.

There are three types of diclofenac oral tablets:

• diclofenac oral tablet
• diclofenac delayed-release (DR) oral tablet, which means the drug is released into your body after the tablet passes through your stomach
• diclofenac extended-release (ER) oral tablet, which means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time

Talk with your doctor to learn more about each type and which one is recommended for your specific condition.

Diclofenac also comes in other forms that you swallow and topical forms, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about the other forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warnings

Diclofenac has boxed warnings about the risk of serious digestive problems and serious heart and blood vessel problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section below.

More common side effects of diclofenac

Diclofenac oral tablets may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of diclofenac oral tablets include:

• abdominal pain
• constipation or diarrhea
• indigestion
• flatulence
• nausea and vomiting

Mild side effects of diclofenac

Diclofenac may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of diclofenac oral tablets that occurred in studies include:

• abdominal pain
• edema (fluid buildup in your body)
• constipation or diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• flatulence
• headache
• indigestion
• itchy skin
• minor bleeding, such as a nosebleed
• nausea and vomiting
• ringing in the ears
• mild allergic reaction*

Diclofenac oral tablets may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of diclofenac

Diclofenac may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from diclofenac oral tablets, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with diclofenac.

Serious side effects of diclofenac oral tablets that occurred in studies include:

• heart failure
• high blood pressure
• high blood potassium level
• kidney problems, including kidney failure
• liver problems, including hepatitis
• low red blood cell level
• serious skin reactions*, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• risk of serious digestive problems†
• risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems†
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section below.
† Diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac delayed-release oral tablet, and diclofenac extended-release oral tablet have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section below.

Common questions about side effects of diclofenac

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of diclofenac oral tablets. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can diclofenac 75 mg cause more side effects than diclofenac 50 mg?

Maybe. In general, higher doses of a drug are more likely to cause side effects than a lower dose. So 75-milligram (mg) doses of diclofenac might increase your risk of side effects more than 50-mg doses.

But other factors also influence your risk for side effects. These include other medications you may take or other medical conditions you may have.

It’s not clear whether all side effects were more likely with higher doses in studies of diclofenac oral tablets. At least some side effects appear related to taking a higher dose, including the risk of serious digestive problems and the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. Diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac delayed-release (DR) oral tablet, and diclofenac extended-release (ER) oral tablet have a boxed warning for these risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section in this article.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your risk for side effects from diclofenac and factors that affect this risk, including your dosage.

How long do side effects of diclofenac typically last?

It depends. For most people, side effects caused by diclofenac are temporary and go away on their own in a few days or weeks.

However, in rare cases, the drug may cause long-term side effects. See the question below for more details. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Does diclofenac cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases diclofenac oral tablets may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time, or may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with diclofenac oral tablets include:

• kidney problems, including long-term complications that may not go away in rare cases
• liver problems, including long-term complications that may not go away in rare cases
• low red blood cell level, which should go away on its own or by stopping diclofenac and can also be treated with medications
• risk of serious digestive problems*
• risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems*

* Diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac DR oral tablet, and diclofenac ER oral tablet have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of diclofenac may last.

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Side effects of diclofenac in detail

Below, you’ll find details on some of the side effects of diclofenac oral tablets.

Risk of serious digestive problems

Diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac delayed-release (DR) oral tablet, and diclofenac extended-release (ER) oral tablet have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In studies, serious digestive problems were rare in people taking diclofenac oral tablets. These problems include:

• ulcers in your stomach or intestines
• bleeding in your stomach or intestines
• holes in your stomach or intestines

Symptoms of these digestive problems include blood in your stool or vomit, feeling bloated or full, and burning cramps or pain in your abdomen.

Certain factors can increase the risk of serious digestive problems with diclofenac. These include:

• taking diclofenac for a long time
• taking a high dose of diclofenac
• taking other drugs that may cause similar side effects, including another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• consuming alcohol or tobacco
• having a liver condition, such as alcohol-related liver disease
• being age 65 years or older
• having an existing bleeding problem, such as hemophilia

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of serious digestive problems, stop taking diclofenac right away and tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend further testing to evaluate your symptoms. This will help your doctor determine the best way to treat your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether it’s safe for you to continue taking diclofenac.

Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems

Diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac DR oral tablet, and diclofenac ER oral tablet have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

In studies, serious heart and blood vessel problems were rare in people taking diclofenac oral tablets. These problems include heart attack and stroke.

With heart attack, there’s a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to your heart. Symptoms include pain or discomfort in your chest and possibly other upper body areas, including the jaw, neck, arm, stomach, or back. Other symptoms include shortness of breath and feeling a “sense of doom.”

With stroke, you experience interrupted blood flow to your brain. Symptoms include a drooping or uneven face and numbness or weakness in one or both arms.

Certain factors can increase the risk of serious heart and blood problems with diclofenac. These include:

• having existing heart disease or risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure
• using diclofenac within 14 days after undergoing heart bypass surgery
• taking a high dose of diclofenac
• taking diclofenac for a long time

Ways to manage

Immediately call 911 or seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

If you experience a serious heart or blood vessel problem while taking diclofenac, your doctor may permanently stop your treatment. They can recommend other treatments for your condition instead.

Serious skin reactions

In studies, serious skin reactions were rare in people taking diclofenac oral tablets. Although rare, these reactions are life threatening and require immediate treatment.

These reactions were reported in studies of diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac DR oral tablet, and diclofenac ER oral tablet.

Serious skin reactions reported with diclofenac include:

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• toxic epidermal necrolysis

Symptoms vary depending on the specific reaction. But common symptoms include a peeling or blistering skin rash, which may be red, purple, or discolored in appearance. Other symptoms can include muscle or joint aches and fever.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of a serious skin reaction, immediately seek medical help. These reactions are life threatening and require emergency treatment.

Your doctor will stop your diclofenac treatment if you develop a serious skin reaction from taking the drug.

Allergic reaction

For some people, diclofenac oral tablets can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in studies of diclofenac oral tablet, diclofenac DR oral tablet, and diclofenac ER oral tablet.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it difficult to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to diclofenac oral tablets, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for diclofenac

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking diclofenac oral tablets.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of serious digestive, heart, and blood vessel problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take diclofenac oral tablets if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether diclofenac oral tablets are a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking diclofenac oral tablets, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• asthma
• heart conditions, including high blood pressure
• heart attack or stroke in the past
• kidney conditions
• liver problems
• past allergic reaction to diclofenac

Diclofenac and pregnancy

Diclofenac oral tablets should not be taken after the 30th week of pregnancy. And diclofenac generally isn’t recommended after week 20 of pregnancy, except in certain circumstances. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with diclofenac.

Diclofenac and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether diclofenac oral tablets should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Diclofenac and alcohol

Diclofenac oral tablets are known to interact with alcohol.

Drinking alcohol while taking diclofenac raises your risk of serious digestive problems, including bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Diclofenac has a boxed warning about the risk of serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects of diclofenac in detail” section above.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with diclofenac oral tablets.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of diclofenac oral tablets. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are side effects of diclofenac similar to those of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
• Does my health history increase my risk of side effects from taking diclofenac?
• If I have side effects from taking diclofenac, could you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?
• Are there foods I should avoid while taking diclofenac to lower my risk of side effects?
• Will taking diclofenac with a meal reduce my risk of certain side effects?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.