The name is derived from its chemical name: 2-(2,6-dichloranilino) phenylacetic acid.

In the United Kingdom, India, Brazil and the United States, it may be supplied as either the sodium or potassium salt, in China most often as the sodium salt, while in some other countries only as the potassium salt. Diclofenac is available as a generic drug in a number of formulations. Over-the-counter (OTC) use is approved in some countries for minor aches and pains and fever associated with common infections.

Medical uses

Diclofenac is used to treat pain, inflammatory disorders, and dysmenorrhea.^[1]

Inflammatory disorder may include musculoskeletal complaints, especially arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, osteoarthritis, dental pain, TMJ, spondylarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout attacks,^[2] and pain management in cases of kidney stones and gallstones. An additional indication is the treatment of acute migraines.^[3] Diclofenac is used commonly to treat mild to moderate post-operative or post-traumatic pain, in particular when inflammation is also present,^[2] and is effective against menstrual pain and endometriosis.

As long-term use of diclofenac and similar NSAIDs predisposes for peptic ulcer, many patients at risk for this complication are prescribed a combination (Arthrotec) of diclofenac and misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin(PGE1) analogue, to protect the gastric mucosa.^{[citation needed]}

An external, gel-based formulation containing 3% of diclofenac (Solaraze) is available for the treatment of facial actinic keratosis caused by over-exposure to sunlight. Some countries have also approved the external use of diclofenac 1% gel to treat musculoskeletal conditions.

In many countries^[where?], eye-drops are sold to treat acute and chronic non-bacterial inflammations of the anterior part of the eyes (e.g., postoperative states).^{[citation needed]} A common brand name is Voltaren-optha.

Investigational uses

Diclofenac is often used to treat chronic pain associated with cancer, in particular if inflammation is also present (Step I of the World Health Organization (WHO) Scheme for treatment of chronic pain). Good results (sometimes better than those with opioids) have been seen in female breast cancer and in the pain associated with bony metastases.^{[citation needed]} Diclofenac can be combined with opioids if needed. Combaren, a fixed combination of diclofenac and codeine (50 mg each), is available for cancer treatment in Europe.^{[citation needed]} Combinations with psychoactive drugs such as chlorprothixene and/or amitriptyline have also been investigated and found useful in a number of cancer patients.^{[citation needed]}

Fever due to malignant lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's lymphoma) often responds to diclofenac.^{[citation needed]} Treatment can be terminated as soon as the usual treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy causes remission of fever.

Diclofenac has been found to increase the blood pressure in patients with Shy-Drager syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Currently, this use is highly investigative and cannot be recommended as routine treatment.

Diclofenac has been found to be effective against all strains of multi drug resistant E. coli, with a MIC of 25 micrograms/mL. Therefore, it may be suggested that diclofenac has the capacity to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by E. coli.^[4] It has also been shown to be effective in treating Salmonella infections in mice^[5] and is under investigation for the treatment of tuberculosis.^[6]