APO-Diclo SR 100mg (diclofenac sodium)

APO-Diclo tablets 100mg contain diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases like arthritis and relieve pain and inflammation in other conditions.

APO-Diclo general information

What is APO-Diclo used for?

APO-Diclo tablets 100mg are used treat the pain and inflammation caused by chronic inflammatory joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine) and painful syndromes of the vertebral column.  APO-Diclo tablets 100mg are also used to treat nonarticular rheumatism, which is pain that is not associated with joints and include nerve entrapment and regional pain syndrome; rheumatic conditions of the connective tissue surrounding joints (non-articular), including bursitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis; as well as acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains and lower back pain (lumbago).  APO-Diclo SR is also used to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling following surgery such as dental or orthopaedic surgery, for acute attacks of gout and to relieve menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea.  APO-Diclo tablets 100mg helps reduce symptoms like pain swelling and inflammation and also reduces stiffness in joints affected with arthritis to provide improved joint function, however it does not treat the underlying disease process.  

How does APO-Diclo work?

APO-Diclo tablets 100mg contain diclofenac, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties.  APO-Diclo tablets 100mg block the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).  COX-2 is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins, and inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.  Inhibition of COX-1 is responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects that are due to inhibition of protective prostaglandins in the gut and disruption of regulation of acid content.  APO-Diclo tablets 100mg are formulated for slow sustained release so that the diclofenac is released gradually into the blood stream and is therefore effective over a longer period at stable levels.    

What does APO-Diclo contain?

APO-Diclo tablets contain the active ingredient diclofenac, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation in a variety of conditions.  They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, macrogol 3350, hypromellose, hyetellose, dextrates, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow.

Treating arthritis with APO-Diclo

APO-Diclo tablets 100mg contain diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to reduce pain and inflammation in various forms of arthritis and chronic inflammatory joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine).  Diclofenac in APO-Diclo tablets 100mg works by inhibiting the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) blocking the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) like PGE2, which are produced at sites of injury or inflammation and causes pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation.  Diclofenac in APO-Diclo tablets 100mg reduces pain swelling and inflammation in the affected joint and also reduces stiffness resulting in improved joint function, however, it does not treat the underlying disease process. 

APO-Diclo for pain and inflammation

APO-Diclo tablets 100mg contain diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever).  Several chronic inflammatory joint diseases cause pain and inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis (in adults and children), osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine) and gout (deposits of uric acid in the joints).  Acute pain and inflammation are also associated with dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and post-operative pain (following surgery).  Diclofenac in APO-Diclo tablets 100mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins.  Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.  APO-Diclo tablets 100mg also inhibit cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), and this is thought to be responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the non-selective NSAIDs. 

What are the side effects of APO-Diclo?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking APO-Diclo tablets 100mg include: gastrointestinal upset (stomach or stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating, wind, heartburn, indigestion, constipation) headache dizziness, vertigo, rash.

What are the health risks when taking APO-Diclo?

APO-Diclo tablets 100mg have been associated with increased risk of gastric ulceration and bleeding and cardiovascular events including heart attack, although these events are rare. 

When should APO-Diclo not be used?

You should not use APO-Diclo tablets 100mg if you:

• are allergic to diclofenac or any other NSAID including aspirin or any ingredients in APO-Diclo
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have aspirin-induced asthma or rhinitis (runny itchy nose)
• have asthma
• have severe heart failure or have had a heart attack within the last 12 months
• have active or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation due to an ulcer
• have a tendency to bleed easily
• are taking medicines that interact with APO-Diclo including: aspirin or other NSAIDs, anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin, cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers for high blood pressure, digoxin for heart failure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes

What medications interact with APO-Diclo?

Several medications interact with APO-Diclo tablets 100mg and should either not be taken while you are taking APO-Diclo or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with APO-Diclo: aspirin or other NSAIDs, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, anticoagulants like warfarin
• Drugs that affect APO-Diclo: cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout
• Drugs that are affected by APO-Diclo: anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers for high blood pressure, digoxin for heart failure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes.

How should APO-Diclo be taken?

You should take your APO-Diclo tablets 100mg, swallowed whole with a glass of water once daily, preferably in the evening and with a meal, just before eating.  The dose you take depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation and may be reduced or increased depending on side effects and how well you respond.  You should continue to take your APO-Diclo tablets 100mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.  

How long should you take APO-Diclo?

You should continue to take your APO-Diclo tablets 100mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.  

Missed dose of APO-Diclo

If you miss a dose of APO-Diclo tablets 100mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should APO-Diclo be stored?

You should store your APO-Diclo tablets 100mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.