Description

Product Overview

WHAT DICLOFENAC INJECTION IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

• Diclofenac Injection is provided as an injection solution, containing 75 mg Diclofenac
sodium in 3 ml, to be given by intramuscularly ( into a muscle) or intravenously (into a vein) as an infusion
• Each ampoule contains 75mg diclofenac sodium. The ampoules are packaged in a carton, and
10 ampoules are in each carton.
• Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are prescribed for
adults and the elderly for treatment of painful conditions, such as kidney stone pain,
osteoarthritis (degeneration of joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of joints), back
pain, gout (formation of crystals in joints), injuries and fractures.

BEFORE YOU HAVE DICLOFENAC INJECTION.

You must NOT have Diclofenac Injection:
• if you are allergic to Diclofenac or any of the contents of this medicine (listed above)
• you have now, or have ever had, a stomach (gastric) or duodenal (peptic) ulcer, or bleeding in
the digestive tract (this can include blood in vomit, bleeding when emptying bowels, fresh blood
in stools or black, tarry stools)
• If you have had any allergic reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs (including difficulty in breathing, runny nose, swelling of the face or throat, or rash)
• if you have asthma
• if you have kidney or liver problems.
• if you are dehydrated or have recently lost a lot of blood
• if you have severe heart failure
• if you have a condition where you don’t stop bleeding normally (such as haemophilia)
• if you have had a stroke

Take special care with Diclofenac Injection
• Do you suffer from stomach or bowel disorders, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease?
• Do you have kidney, liver or heart problems, or are you elderly?
• Do you have lupus (SLE) or any similar condition?
• Do you suffer from a condition called porphyria?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, discuss your treatment with your doctor or
pharmacist because Diclofenac injection might not be the right medicine for you.

Make sure your doctor knows, before you are given diclofenac
• If you smoke
• If you have diabetes
• If you have angina, blood clots, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol or raised triglycerides

Side effects may be minimised by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration
necessary.

If you have a history of stomach problems when you are taking NSAIDs, particularly if you are
elderly, you must tell your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual symptoms.

Because it is an anti-inflammatory medicine, diclofenac may reduce the symptoms of
infection, for example, headache and high temperature. If you feel unwell and need to see a
doctor, remember to tell him or her that you are taking diclofenac.

If you have heart, kidney or liver problems, or having medicines to increase urine volume such
as diuretics or you are elderly, your doctor may monitor your kidney function.
Diclofenac injection should not be used in children.

Taking/using other medicines

Some medicines can interfere with your treatment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
• Digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
• Medicines to treat diabetes
• Oral steroids (an anti-inflammatory drug)
• Lithium (used to treat mental illness)
• Antibiotics called quinolones (such as ciprofloxacin)
• Cyclosporin and tacrolimus (used to treat some inflammatory diseases and after transplants)
• Methotrexate (used for some inflammatory diseases and cancers)
• Drugs that can increase your risk of bleeding, sometimes given if you have heart problems,
such as dipyridamole or clopidogrel
• Some medicines for depression, such as paroxetine or fluoxetine
• Diuretics (water tablets)
• Medicines to treat high blood pressure

Pregnancy
• Diclofenac may make it more difficult to become pregnant. You should inform your doctor if
you are planning to become pregnant or if you have problems becoming pregnant.

• If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, you must not receive Diclofenac
Injection unless your doctor advises it. However, diclofenac must never be given in the last three
months of pregnancy

Breast-feeding
• If you are breast-feeding you must not receive Diclofenac Injection.

Driving and using machinery
• Diclofenac may make you feel drowsy or dizzy, or cause problems with vision. If you are
affected, do not drive or operate machinery.

Elderly
• The elderly have increased frequency of adverse reactions to NSAIDs especially gastro
intestinal bleeding and perforation which may be fatal. Caution should be advised in patients
receiving concomitant medications which could increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding, such
as oral, corticosteroids, anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) or anti-platelet agents such as aspirin.

HOW TO TAKE DICLOFENAC INJECTION

Your doctor will decide when and how to treat you with Diclofenac Injection. You will either be
given an intravenous infusion (a drip into a vein) or an intramuscular injection (an injection into a muscle). The intramuscular injection is usually injected into the buttocks.

The usual dose is:

Adults
One or two ampoules (75 to 150 mg) each day for one or two days.

Elderly
Your doctor may give you a dose that is lower than the usual adult dose if you are elderly.

Children
Not suitable for children.

A doctor, nurse or pharmacist will prepare the injection for you. If you have had an operation
and are in hospital, the ampoule contents may be diluted and put into a drip bag before being
given to you. A nurse or doctor will usually then give you the injection or infusion. You would
not usually have to give the injection to yourself.

The doctor may also prescribe another drug to protect the stomach to be taken at the same time,
particularly if you have had stomach problems before, or if you are elderly, or taking certain
other drugs as well.

If you have more Diclofenac Injection than you should:
If you think you have been given too much, tell your doctor or nurse straight away.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Diclofenac Injection is suitable for most people, but, like all medicines, they can sometimes
cause side effects.

Some side effects can be serious. Tell the doctor straight away if you notice:

• Stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn, wind, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)
• Any sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestine, for example, when emptying you bowels,
blood in vomit or black, tarryfaeces
• Allergic reactions which can include skin rash, itching, hives on the skin, , wheezing,
shortness of breath (bronchospasm), or trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or
other parts of the body
• Painful red areas, bruising, peeling or blistering
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• Persistent sore throat or high temperature
• An unexpected change in the amount of urine produced and/or its appearance.
• Pain or formation of pus (abscess) at the injection site

If you notice that you are bruising more easily than usual or have frequent sore throats or
infections, tell your doctor.

The side effects listed below have been reported. Some side effects can be seriousTell the doctor
straight away if you notice any of these side effects.

Common (affects more than 1 in 100 people):
Stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, wind, loss of appetite,Headache, dizziness, vertigo, Skin rash or spots Raised levels of liver enzymes in the
blood. pain,induration at the injection site.

Stomach ulcers or bleeding (there have been very rare reported cases resulting in
death,particularly in the elderly)
Gastritis (inflammation, irritation or swelling of the stomach lining)
Blood in vomit or black or tarry faeces.
Drowsiness, tiredness
Hypotension (low blood pressure, symptoms of which may include faintness, giddiness or light
headedness)
Skin rash and itching
Fluid retention, symptoms of which include swollen ankles
Liver function disorders, including hepatitis and jaundice.
Asthma including shortness of breath

Very rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000)

Tingling or numbness in the skin, tremor, blurred or double vision, hearing loss orimpairment, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sleeplessness, nightmares, mood changes, depression, anxiety, mental disorders, confusion, hallucinations, generally feeling unwell, disorientation and loss of memory, fits, headaches together with a dislike of bright lights, fever and a stiff neck, disturbances in sensation.

Constipation, diarrhoea, inflammation of the tongue, mouth ulcers, taste changes, lower gut
disorders (including inflammation of the colon).severe upper abdominal pain.

Palpitations (fast or irregular heart beat), chest pain, hypertension (high blood pressure),inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis),
congestive heart failure, blood disorders (including anaemia).

Kidney or liver disorders, presence of blood or protein in the urine, death of kidney cell and
inflammation of the kidney. An unexpected change in the amount of urine produced and/or its
appearance

Serious skin rashes including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Lyell’s syndrome and other skin
rashes which may be made worse by exposure to sunlight.

Hair loss.blistering of skin ,recurring skin rashes, swelling of skin, itching. red or purple
discolorations on the skin. Formation of pus (abscess) at the injection site.

Inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the protective covering of the brain
increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Other side effects: Impotence
Do not be alarmed by this list – most people have an injection of Diclofenac without any
problems.
If any of the symptoms become troublesome, or if you notice anything else not mentioned here,
please go and see your doctor. He/she may want to give you a different medicine.

STORING DICLOFENAC INJECTION

• Keep Diclofenac Injection and all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not store above 25°C. Keep the container in the outer carton.

Use by date:
• Do not use Diclofenac Injection after the expiry/use before date on the carton.