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Creative Consultants |
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Diclofenac is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic and antipyretic properties. It also has some uricosuric effect. Diclofenac inhibits cyclo-oxygenase activity with a reduction in the tissue production of prostaglandins such as PgF2 and PgE2. The anti-inflammatory effect, measured in the adjuvant-induced arthritis model, is greater than that of aspirin and similar to indomethacin. Diclofenac causes gastric erosions and prolongs bleeding time. Clinical Pharmacology Diclofenac is an effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug in clinical practice and is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is as effective as indomethacin or aspirin with perhaps fewer side effects than these two agents. Diclofenac is as effective at inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase as indomethacin in therapeutic usage. The duration of inhibition is such that twice-daily dosage is appropriate. Diclofenac reduces joint swelling and relieves pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis but has no long term effects on the disease process. Diclofenac is effective in the treatment of post-operative pain and is available as a parenteral preparation. Diclofenac inhibits platelet adhesiveness and prolongs the bleeding time. By inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the uterus of pregnant women it may delay the onset of labour. Diclofenac has no effect on renal function in normal individuals but can worsen renal function in patients whose renal blood flow is dependent on the vasodilatory prostaglandin E2 (e.g. in hypertension, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver and other conditions). Diclofenac may cause gastric erosions, partly by directly irritating the gastric mucosa and partly by inhibiting the synthesis of cytoprotective prostaglandins. Indications
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