Side effects of diclofenac sodium 50mg

What is Diclofenac Sodium?

Diclofenac sodium is one of the medications that are a part of the group called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which means that it is used for the reduction of pain, inflammation, and swelling. It can be found in various forms, and besides in the treatment of arthritis, it can be used to relieve a migraine that has already begun, cancer pain, symptoms of gout, fibromyalgia, and lupus, as an off-label medication.

It is important to point out that none of these conditions can be cured by this medication, it is only used for the treatment of the symptoms. Being an NSAID, it functions by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the substances that cause pain and inflammation.

Side Effects of Diclofenac Sodium

Diclofenac sodium can relieve many symptoms, and thus be very beneficial to the human body, but the fact is that it has some side effects as well, and those who use it for a long time should be aware of them in particular. Some of them are more common, some of them less, and some of them are more serious, while others are mild and do not require medical attention at all.

According to the results of several studies on diclofenac sodium side effects, the most frequently reported are pain in the stomach, diarrhea, constipation, headache, vomiting, and nausea, while peptic ulcer, dizziness, unexplained bleeding, and anemia occurred as well. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the person who uses diclofenac sodium experiences pain in the chest, shortness of breath, or weakness, though signs of allergic reaction call for medical help also, because the consequences of ignoring them may be fatal in some cases.

Diclofenac is a proven, commonly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties, and has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of acute and chronic pain and inflammatory conditions. As with all NSAIDs, diclofenac exerts its action via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with relative equipotency. However, extensive research shows the pharmacologic activity of diclofenac goes beyond COX inhibition, and includes multimodal and, in some instances, novel mechanisms of action (MOA).

Literature retrieval was performed through PubMed/MEDLINE (through May 2009) using combinations of the terms diclofenac, NSAID, mechanism of action, COX-1, COX-2, and pharmacology. Reference citations resulting from publications identified in the literature search were reviewed when appropriate.
Research suggests diclofenac can inhibit the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor, affect arachidonic acid release and uptake, inhibit lipoxygenase enzymes, and activate the nitric oxide-cGMP antinociceptive pathway.
Other novel MOAs may include the inhibition of substrate P, inhibition of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), blockage of acid-sensing ion channels, alteration of interleukin-6 production, and inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hyperalgesia. The review was not designed to compare MOAs of diclofenac with other NSAIDs.
Additionally, as the highlighted putative and emerging MOAs do not have clinical data to demonstrate that these models are correct, further research is necessary to ascertain if the proposed pathways will translate into clinical benefits.

✓ Fact confirmed: Diclofenac: an update on its mechanism of action and safety profile Tong J. Gan; 2010 Jul

Signs that indicate damage to the liver include nausea, tiredness, and signs of jaundice, and they should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible, as well as the signs of problems with the kidneys and heart.

It is believed that people who use this medication for a longer period are at higher risk of developing certain life-threatening diseases, which is why it is not recommended to use it continuously. For the same reason, symptoms such as nosebleeds, bloody urine or stools, vomiting blood, and purple spots on the skin should signal that medical attention is necessary.

Speaking of its side effects, very rarely diclofenac sodium causes fainting, hypertension, asthma, depression, and alopecia.