- Physical Examination
- Surgical Examination
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Skills
- Orthopedics
- Surgery Videos
- Laparoscopy
- Pediatrics
- Funny Videos
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Nursing Videos
- Plastic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Histology and Histopathology
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Dentistry
- Oncology and Cancers
- Anatomy Videos
- Health and Fitness
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Radiology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Childbirth Videos
- General Medical Videos
- Nephrology
- Physiology
- Diet and Food Health
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neurology
- Women Health
- Osteoporosis
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Rheumatology
- Toxicology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Burns and Wound Healing
- Kidney Zone Podcast
- Other
DiclofenacOver the counter
Pronounced dye-KLOE-fen-ak
Brand names: Voltaren, Cataflam
Type: NSAID pain reliever · All Pain Relief & Fever Medicines
What Diclofenac is used for
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Muscle and back pain
- Migraine (certain forms)
- Eye inflammation after surgery (drops)
◆ Kidney note
Can reduce kidney blood flow and cause kidney injury; the gel form has much lower whole-body exposure.
Common side effects
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Skin irritation (gel)
Important cautions
- Carries a heart attack and stroke risk warning like other NSAIDs, and can cause stomach bleeding
- Should not be used for pain around the time of heart bypass surgery
How it comes
Tablets, gel, patches, eye drops, injection (hospital). This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.
Toxicity lists: Diclofenac also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Kidneys.
Related medicines — Pain Relief & Fever Medicines
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.