Cataflam

Generic name: Diclofenac
Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Usage of Cataflam

Cataflam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Cataflam is used to treat mild to moderate pain, or signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Cataflam is also used to treat menstrual cramps.

Cataflam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Cataflam (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using Cataflam and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop using Cataflam and call your doctor at once if you have:

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;

flu-like symptoms;

heart problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;

kidney problems - little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your arms or legs, feeling tired or short of breath;

liver problems - nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common Cataflam side effects may include:

indigestion, gas, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

diarrhea, constipation;

headache, dizziness, drowsiness;

abnormal lab tests;

itching, sweating;

stuffy nose;

increased blood pressure; or

swelling or pain in your arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Cataflam

You should not use Cataflam if you are allergic to diclofenac, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

Diclofenac can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

To make sure Cataflam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure;

ulcers or bleeding in your stomach;

asthma;

liver or kidney disease; or

if you smoke.

Taking diclofenac during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Cataflam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Cataflam

Take Cataflam exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on the label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

For treatment of pain or primary dysmenorrhea the recommended dosage of Cataflam is 50 mg three times daily. In some patients an initial dose of 100 mg of Cataflam, followed by 50 mg doses, may provide better relief.

For the relief of osteoarthritis the recommended dosage is 100-150 mg/day in divided doses, i.e. 50 mg two or three times a day.

For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis the recommended dosage is 150-200 mg/day in divided doses, i.e. 50 mg three or four times a day.

Different formulations of diclofenac, Voltaren (diclofenac sodium tablets) and Cataflam (diclofenac potassium immediate-release tablets) are not necessarily equivalent in strength even if the milligram strength is the same.

If you use Cataflam long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

Cataflam can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine. Do not use diclofenac just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Cataflam may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using Cataflam, especially in older adults.

What other drugs will affect Cataflam

Ask your doctor before using Cataflam if you take an antidepressant. Taking certain antidepressants with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill";

other forms of diclofenac (Arthrotec, Flector, Pennsaid, Solaraze, Voltaren Gel);

a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

other NSAIDs - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib (Celebrex), indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with diclofenac, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

There is no known drug interaction between methocarbamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac. You may take methocarbamol and diclofenac together. Because it may cause drowsiness or dizziness, methocarbamol interacts with other drugs that have similar effects, such as alcohol and drugs that treat sleep disorders.

Common antidepressants used for orthopedic pain relief may include SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), SNRIs such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline (Elavil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor). Continue reading

You need to be careful when taking ibuprofen with blood pressure medicines because the combination can also cause serious damage to your kidneys, particularly if you are also taking a diuretic (water pill). In addition, ibuprofen can reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of your blood pressure medication. People who take blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors or ARBs and diuretics have an increased risk of kidney damage, which can be compounded by also taking an NSAID, such as ibuprofen, particularly in high doses. Continue reading

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