Page 206 - COMMUNITY PHARMACY PRACTICE

02/04/2024

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DICLOFENAC:

¨ Diclofenac is available in many forms such as
creams, gels and tablets.

¨ Injections of Diclofenac are also very common when
the pain is acute and a prompt action is desired

Diclofenac exists in two forms known as:

a) Diclofenac Sodium ( Voltaren© ).

b) Diclofenac Potassium ( Cataflam © ).

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DICLOFENAC:

Difference between them:

¨ The real difference lies in the fact that potassium salt of
Diclofenac is ………..than sodium salt.

¨ Diclofenac potassium gets absorbed quickly and starts
analgesic activity in a much quicker time than Diclofenac
sodium.

¨ Diclofenac potassium is immediate release, while
Diclofenac sodium is delayed release.

¨ This implies that for acute and severe pain, it is better to
take Diclofenac potassium than Diclofenac sodium.

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