Explanation

Diclofenac sodium is a type of medicine called a non-steroidical anti-inflammatory drug (called NSAIDs for short!). These medicines are used to treat pain and inflammation. They help with the symptoms of lots of inflammatory illnesses and injuries.

What does diclofenac sodium do?

Diclofenac sodium blocks the chemical signals in your body that cause inflammation and pain.

What does it look like?

Diclofenac sodium usually comes as a tablet that you swallow, but if you're over 12 years old you may get it as an injection in one of your muscles.

When do I have to take it and how much do I take?

Your doctor will decide how much diclofenac sodium you should take and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you're being treated for and how old you are. You will probably have to take diclofenac sodium after meals, but check with your doctor.

But what if I don't feel like taking it?

It's important that you keep taking your diclofenac sodium for as long as your doctor has told you to. If you feel that you don't want to keep taking it for some reason, you should talk to your doctor, but don't just stop taking it!

What should I do if I forget to take it?

Try and take your diclofenac sodium when your doctor has told you to. Even if the adults looking after you forget - go and remind them!

If you do forget to take it, then don't worry, just take it when you remember if it's not too long after you should have taken it. If it's close to the time you should take your next dose, then just take it when you normally would and forget the missed dose.

It's really important that you don't take twice as much to try and make up for your missed dose - remember the three Ds: DON"T DOUBLE DOSE!

What if I take too much?

If you take too much diclofenac sodium it can be dangerous and you could even go into a coma, so it's important that you tell your doctor straight away. If you have taken too much, the things you might start to notice are:

headache

nausea (feeling sick)

vomiting (being sick)

pain at the top of your abdomen

blood in your poo

diarrhea (runny poo)

feeling confused and not knowing where you are

feeling drowsy

ringing in your ears

fainting or feeling faint

shaking of your body that you can't control (called convulsions)

What are the most likely side effects I might get if I take diclofenac sodium?

You are unlikely to get side effects when you are taking diclofenac sodium, but it's very important that you tell your doctor straight away if you do.

The side effects that you are most likely to get when you take diclofenac sodium are:

headache

dizziness

nausea (feeling sick)

vomiting (being sick)

diarrhoea (runny poo)

pain in the top part of your abdomen and feeling full easily (dyspepsia)

pain in your abdomen

farting lots (called flatulence)

problems with eating

a rash or blemishes on your skin

What other side effects might I get?

The other side effects that can happen after taking diclofenac sodium are very unusual, so you're not likely to get them. Some of these can be serious though, so it's important for you and the adult looking after you, to look out for them, just in case.

Tell your doctor or hospital straight away if you get:

trouble swallowing or breathing, swelling of your face, throat, hands, or feet

itching or hives (bumpy patches of red or pale skin that are itchy)

feeling confused and not knowing where you are

felling sad a lot, not enjoying things you used to and/or having thoughts of hurting yourself

having trouble sleeping and/or nightmares

seeing things that seem strange or that aren't really there

feeling drowsy, tired and/or faint especially when you stand up

tingling or numbness anywhere on your skin

trouble remembering things

shaking of your body that you can't control (called convulsions)

having trouble seeing or blurred vision

having ringing in your ears or trouble hearing

pains in your chest or a hard/fast heartbeat

blood in your poo or trouble going for a poo

yellowing of your eyes and/or skin

Is it safe for me to be taking diclofenac sodium?

Before you start taking diclofenac sodium you should tell your doctor about any medical problems you know you have, including any allergies, or if you have had any serious problems in the past.

It's especially important to tell your doctor if you have any of the things on the list below:

allergies to diclofenac sodium or any other NSAIDs

stomach ulcers now or in the past

bleeding in your stomach when you have had NSAIDs in the past (signs include blood in your poo)

Crohn's disease

liver problems

problems with breathing, like if you have asthma, hay fever or a chest infection

kidney problems

heart problems

skin reactions, including dermatitis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Is it okay for me to take diclofenac sodium if I'm already taking other medicine?

Let your doctor know if you're taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines, even herbal medicines or ones you got from the pharmacy without a prescription. It's especially important for you to tell him or her if you're taking any medicines that are in the list below:

NSAIDs

corticosteroids

anti-coagulants

serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or anti-platelet agents

lithium

anti-diabetes agents

ciclosporin or tacrolimus

methotrexate

quinolone antimicrobials

diuretics

medicines for high blood pressure

baclofen

penicillamine

any medicines for cancer

phenytoin

medicines for HIV

Is there anything else I need to know about diclofenac sodium?

Diclofenac sodium can hide or change the signs of infection, so if you get one, it may be harder for adults and your doctor to notice early on. So, it's important that you tell your doctor if you're feeling unwell or have a high temperature, so that you can have some medicine to help you fight it before you get really sick.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people with the same condition as you, and who may be taking diclofenac sodium, in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.