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Therapeutic action
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), analgesic
Indications
- Moderate pain due to inflammation (acute sciatic neuralgia, renal colic, postoperative pain, etc.)
Forms and strengths, route of administration
- 75 mg in 3 ml ampoule (25 mg/ml) for deep IM injection or IV infusion
Dosage
- Adult : 75 mg by deep IM injection, to be repeated after 6 hours if necessary
- For postoperative pain, may be administered by infusion: 75 mg over 30 to 120 minutes, to be repeated after 4 to 6 hours if necessary.
- Do not exceed 150 mg in 24 hours.
Duration
- Maximum 2 days
Change to oral treatment with an analgesic, e.g. ibuprofen or paracetamol, as soon as possible.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with allergy to NSAID (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), peptic ulcer, coagulation defects, haemorrhage, surgery with risk of major blood loss, severe renal, hepatic or cardiac impairment, severe malnutrition, uncorrected dehydration or hypovolaemia, asthma, severe infection.
- May cause: local reactions at the injection site, renal impairment, gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions (skin rash, bronchospasm).
- Administer with caution and carefully monitor use in older patients or patients with cardiovascular disorders (hypertension, diabetes, etc.).
- Do not combine with other NSAID (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), diuretics, anticoagulants.
- Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED
- Breast-feeding: CONTRA-INDICATED
Remarks
- For infusion, use a solution of 5% glucose or 0.9% sodium chloride and add 0.5 ml of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate per 500 ml.
- Diclofenac is not included in the WHO list of essential medicines.
Storage
– Below 25 °C