Google and Over The Counter (OTC) medicine availability have spurred self-diagnosis and self-treatment. May be we get away with it most of the times but there is a huge element of risk when you don't get well or when you have untoward side effects.
While we will cover the perils of self-diagnosis and self-treatment over different posts, today we take a look at a very common medication called Diclofenac.
Brand Names of Diclofenac
There are more than 1000 brands in the Indian market!!
It comes as a 50 mg, 75 mg and 100 mg tablets. Diclofenac is also available as suppository, gel, ointment, spray.
Dosage:
Normally prescribed as 50 mg twice a day. The 75 mg and 100 mg come as sustained release tablet.
Indications:
But diclofenac is also used for pain of different natures, fever, to reduce swelling.
In India many combination of diclofenac are available. Usually you will find combination like Paracetamol + Diclofenac, Tramadol+Diclofenac. Diclofenac+Serratopeptidase, Diclofenac+Cholrzoxazone. These combinations are used to control pain, swelling, muscle spasm.
What is the risk?
While Diclofenac is an excellent drug, it needs to be taken with caution.
Doctors usually prescribe it for short duration and with knowledge of kidney and liver function status of the person.
Diclofenac can also cause:
While we will cover the perils of self-diagnosis and self-treatment over different posts, today we take a look at a very common medication called Diclofenac.
Image courtesy:Wikipedia
Brand Names of Diclofenac
- Voveran
- Inac
- Jonac
- Dynapar
- Diclo-Act Sr
There are more than 1000 brands in the Indian market!!
It comes as a 50 mg, 75 mg and 100 mg tablets. Diclofenac is also available as suppository, gel, ointment, spray.
Dosage:
Normally prescribed as 50 mg twice a day. The 75 mg and 100 mg come as sustained release tablet.
Indications:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
But diclofenac is also used for pain of different natures, fever, to reduce swelling.
In India many combination of diclofenac are available. Usually you will find combination like Paracetamol + Diclofenac, Tramadol+Diclofenac. Diclofenac+Serratopeptidase, Diclofenac+Cholrzoxazone. These combinations are used to control pain, swelling, muscle spasm.
What is the risk?
While Diclofenac is an excellent drug, it needs to be taken with caution.
Doctors usually prescribe it for short duration and with knowledge of kidney and liver function status of the person.
Diclofenac can also cause:
- Gastritis, gastric ulceration and bleeding.
- Kidney damage and kidney failure if taken over long period or if taken by people who have poor kidney function.
- Not to be given to people who have liver disease.
- People with heart disease, high blood pressure are supposed to avoid it or take under medical supervision.
- It is not recommended in women who are trying to get pregnant as it can reduce fertility.
The risks mentioned should suffice to highlight why this commonly available OTC drug, which has excellent pain relieving property has to be taken with extreme caution.
Consult your doctor before you take any medicine on your own. If you do not have your own family doctor get in touch with Prana Healthcare to have your personal doctor and avail telemedicine which should cost you less than 5 rupees a day!
Stay healthy, choose wisely.
No comments:
Post a Comment