{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"diclofenac","kind":"medication","name":"diclofenac","aliases":["Voltaren","Cataflam","Voren"],"brands_sg":["Voltaren","Voren","Cataflam","Almiral","Salonpas Diclofenac"],"class":"NSAID","tags":["pain-fever"],"use_for":"aches and pains, joint, muscle and bone problems, swelling","use_after":"tablets 2–3 times a day, gel 2–4 · shortest time that works","use_duration":null,"take_with":"milk, or water after food — less stomach irritation (nhs)","pros":["nhs: tablets and capsules work in 20 to 30 minutes","sg gels, patches and plasters are general sale list","gel and plasters: less medicine gets into the body"],"cons":["every oral or rectal sg product is prescription-only","long term or high dose can cause a stomach ulcer","small heart/kidney risk at the 150 mg a day maximum"],"dose_note":"nhs label guidance — tablets and capsules: 'the usual dose is 75mg to a maximum of 150mg a day'; gel: 'do not use diclofenac gel more than 4 times in any 24-hour period' and 'an amount about the size of a cherry or walnut (2 to 4 grams)'; plasters and patches: 'do not use more than 2 plasters or patches in 24 hours'. nhs adds 'it's best to take the lowest dose of diclofenac for the shortest time to control your symptoms'. oral and rectal diclofenac is prescription-only in singapore, so the dose is the one the prescription sets — otherwise as directed on the label or by your pharmacist or doctor.","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"prescription-only","cautions":["asthma, or past wheeze/rash/swelling from aspirin or another nsaid — nhs says tell your doctor or pharmacist first","past stomach ulcer, bleeding in the stomach or intestines, crohn's or ulcerative colitis — nhs says tell your doctor first","high blood pressure, heart failure, severe liver disease or kidney disease, lupus, a blood clotting disorder — nhs says tell your doctor first","pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding — nhs says tell your doctor first"],"clashes":[{"src":["nhs_diclo_interact"],"note":"nhs: do not take diclofenac with similar painkillers without talking to a doctor — taking it with other nsaids may increase side effects like stomach ache","with":"other nsaids (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen; also in cough and cold remedies)"},{"src":["nhs_diclo_interact"],"note":"nhs lists anticoagulants such as warfarin among medicines to raise with a doctor or pharmacist before starting diclofenac","with":"warfarin and other anticoagulants"},{"src":["nhs_diclo_interact"],"note":"nhs lists ssris among medicines that affect how diclofenac works and increase the chance of side effects","with":"ssri antidepressants (citalopram, sertraline)"},{"src":["nhs_diclo_interact"],"note":"nhs: speak to a doctor or pharmacist before starting diclofenac if you take these","with":"lithium, methotrexate, ciclosporin or tacrolimus"},{"src":["nhs_diclo_interact"],"note":"nhs lists medicines for high blood pressure, diuretics and steroids such as prednisolone among the cautions","with":"blood pressure medicines, diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide) and steroids"}],"sources":[{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA Register of Therapeutic Products (open data, data.gov.sg d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084) — datastore_search API, 5,511 rows","quote":"VOLTAREN 50 TABLET 50 mg [SIN05662P] … Prescription Only … CATAFLAM 50 TABLET 50 mg … Prescription Only … VOLTAREN EMULGEL 1% [SIN03962P] … General Sale List … VOREN GEL 10 mg/g … General Sale List","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_diclo_about","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diclofenac/about-diclofenac/","label":"NHS — About diclofenac (reviewed 5 August 2024)","quote":"Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) medicine that reduces swelling (inflammation) and pain … aches and pains, as well as problems with joints, muscles and bones … tablets and capsules take 20 to 30 minutes to work","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_diclo_how","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diclofenac/how-and-when-to-take-or-use-diclofenac/","label":"NHS — How and when to take or use diclofenac (reviewed 5 August 2024)","quote":"If you take tablets or capsules, the usual dose is 75mg to a maximum of 150mg a day … Do not use diclofenac gel more than 4 times in any 24-hour period … do not use more than 2 plasters or patches in 24 hours … Swallow diclofenac tablets or capsules with a drink of milk","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_diclo_who","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diclofenac/who-can-and-cannot-take-or-use-diclofenac/","label":"NHS — Who can and cannot take or use diclofenac (reviewed 5 August 2024)","quote":"have an allergy to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) … have asthma … have ever had stomach ulcers, bleeding in the stomach or intestines … have high blood pressure … have heart failure, severe liver disease or kidney disease … are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_diclo_se","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diclofenac/side-effects-of-diclofenac/","label":"NHS — Side effects of diclofenac (reviewed 5 August 2024)","quote":"Diclofenac tablets and capsules can cause an ulcer in your stomach if you take them for a long time or in large doses … There's also a small risk of heart failure or kidney failure if you take the maximum dose (150mg a day) for a long time … You're less likely to have side effects with diclofenac gel or plasters. This is because less medicine gets into your body","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_diclo_interact","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diclofenac/taking-diclofenac-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/","label":"NHS — Taking diclofenac with other medicines and herbal supplements (reviewed 5 August 2024)","quote":"anticoagulants … such as warfarin … medicines for high blood pressure … selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants … steroid medicines … diuretics … lithium … methotrexate … Do not take diclofenac with similar painkillers, like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, without talking to a doctor","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:18.585742+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}