Diclofenac+codeine
About Diclofenac+codeine
Diclofenac+codeine belongs to the class of medications called ‘analgesics’ used to treat acute or short-term painful conditions in adults. Pain is a widely used term used to describe an unpleasant feeling or discomfort. It ranges from mild to severe. The severity of the pain depends on the underlying condition. It is also classified as acute (short term) and chronic (long term) depending on pain duration. Acute pain, if left untreated, can result in chronic pain in some conditions.
Diclofenac+codeine is a combination of two medicines: Diclofenac and Codeine. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing prostaglandin's production (chemical substances that cause pain and inflammation) at the affected site and reduce pain. Codeine is an opioid medication and works by preventing pain signals transmission along the nerves to the brain.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Diclofenac+codeine are heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and loss of appetite. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Diclofenac+codeine if you are allergic to any contents of it. Before taking Diclofenac+codeine, inform your doctor if you have bleeding or ulcer in the stomach, history of stomach or bowel problems with NSAIDs, blocked intestine, suffered a head injury or increased pressure in the brain, severe breathing problems, severe liver, kidney, heart failure, history of heart attack or stroke, acute alcoholism, diarrhoea due to inflammation of the bowel or poisoning and problems with blood circulation. It is not recommended in children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. It should be used with caution in elderly patients. Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase the risk of side-effects. Diclofenac+codeine may cause dizziness or drowsiness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Uses of Diclofenac+codeine
Medicinal Benefits
Diclofenac+codeine is used to provide relief from acute painful conditions in adults. It contains diclofenac and codeine. Diclofenac blocks the production of substances that cause pain, swelling and inflammation, whereas codeine blocks the pain signals and reduce pain. This combination medicine is given when a single pain killer is not effective to treat pain. It is usually used for short-term pain relief.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Diclofenac+codeine
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
Drug Warnings
If you feel that you need to take more of Diclofenac+codeine tablets to achieve the same pain relief level, inform your doctor immediately. It is a sign of drug tolerance (you do not respond to the drug in the same way as you did initially). In such cases, the doctor may stop the therapy and prescribe another pain killer. Before taking Diclofenac+codeine, inform your doctor if you have any bowel disorders such as colitis (inflammation of the intestine), been addicted to opioids, alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, previously experienced withdrawal symptoms when stopped taking alcohol or drugs, history of alcoholism or drug abuse, kidney or liver problems, porphyria (inherited blood disorder), enlarged prostate, an underactive thyroid, gallstones, bleeding disorders, asthma, seasonal allergies, long-term respiratory infections or illnesses, angina (chest pain), blood clots, low or high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus (a skin disorder), smoking habit and intolerance to some sugars. Diclofenac+codeine increases the risk of heart attack or stroke if high doses are used for prolonged periods. So, use it in the dose and duration as prescribed by the doctor. If you notice chest pain, breathing difficulties, weakness or slurry speech, inform your doctor immediately as it can be a sign of problems with heart or blood vessels. Diclofenac+codeine is an anti-inflammatory and can mask the symptoms of an infection, so consult your doctor if you feel unwell.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Diclofenac+codeine may interact with anticoagulant (warfarin), medications used to treat diabetes, antidepressants (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and lithium), water pills, anticancer agent (methotrexate), medications that suppress the immune system (tacrolimus and ciclosporin), a medicine used to treat urinary tract infections (trimethoprim), quinolone antibiotics, other pain killers (aspirin and ibuprofen), a medication used to terminate the pregnancy (mifepristone), a medicine used to treat heart problems (digoxin), steroids, medications used to treat high blood pressure, a medication used to treat fungal infections (voriconazole), a medication used to treat fits (phenytoin), and medications used to lower cholesterol levels (colestipol and cholestyramine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may increase dizziness and the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Diclofenac+codeine should not be used in patients with bleeding or ulcer in the stomach, history of stomach or bowel problems with NSAIDs, severe liver, kidney, heart failure, heart attack history or stroke and problems with blood circulation.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol increases the risk of side-effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, liver damage and bleeding in the stomach.
Pregnancy
unsafeDiclofenac+codeine is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby. The baby may become dependent and show withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDiclofenac+codeine may pass into breast milk and cause unwanted effects in the nursing baby. So, it is not prescribed in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionDiclofenac+codeine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion or hallucinations, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Liver
cautionDiclofenac+codeine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionDiclofenac+codeine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeDiclofenac+codeine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, vitamin D and calcium-enriched supplements. Besides this, turmeric and fish oils can help in reducing inflammation in the tissue.
- Please do not go for heavy exercise as it may increase your joint pain in arthritis. Instead, you can do stretching, low impact aerobic exercises like walking on a treadmill, bike riding and swimming. You can also strengthen your muscles by lifting light weights.
- Your sitting posture is important, especially when you have pain and inflammation. Try to sit as little as possible and only for a short duration of time. Long-term immobility is harmful in conditions like arthritis. Use back support like a rolled-up towel at the back of your spine curve to minimize pain. Keep your knees and hips at a right angle. Besides this, you can also use a footrest if required.
- Avoid alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Do not stop taking Diclofenac+codeine abruptly. It may cause withdrawal reactions such as restlessness, difficulty speaking, agitation, anxiety, palpitations (pounding or racing heart), increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, tremors and sweating. The doctor gradually reduces the dose before completely stopping the medicine.
- Please do not increase the dose or use it frequently without consulting your doctor, leading to addiction.
- It is not recommended to take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and Diclofenac+codeine simultaneously. You should wait for at least 14 days after discontinuing MAOI, before using Diclofenac+codeine.
- Inform your doctor that you are taking Diclofenac+codeine before undergoing any surgery, medical or dental treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp, it might be constant or long-term (chronic) or may be short-term (acute). The tolerance level of pain might vary from person to person. Pain can be generalized (overall body aches) or localized (affecting a specific area of the body). Pain can be considered a good thing as it helps us know that something is wrong in the body and thereby helps diagnose the condition. The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, cuts, bone fractures, and arthritis.
FAQs
Diclofenac+codeine is used to treat short-term pain.
Diclofenac+codeine is a combination of two medicines: Diclofenac and Codeine. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing the production of chemical substances that cause pain and inflammation. Codeine is an opioid medication and works by preventing pain signals transmission along the nerves to the brain.
The common side-effects of Diclofenac+codeine are heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and loss of appetite. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is recommended not to take other antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as phenelzine and isocarboxazid while using Diclofenac+codeine. It may lead to unwanted effects. The doctor may advise you to wait for at least 14 days after discontinuing MAOI if you have been prescribed Diclofenac+codeine.
Diclofenac+codeine is probably safe and well-tolerated in diabetic patients when taken at recommended doses. However, higher doses or prolonged use may affect sugar levels and cause unwanted effects. So, let your doctor know that you have diabetes before taking Diclofenac+codeine.
No, consult a doctor before taking Diclofenac+codeine for any condition. It is not advised to use Diclofenac+codeine without a doctor's recommendation.
Diclofenac+codeine is usually prescribed for a short period. You can stop taking Diclofenac+codeine once you have completed the prescribed duration of treatment. However, if you notice any unusual symptoms, stop taking Diclofenac+codeine and consult the doctor.
No, it's not recommended. Diclofenac+codeine contains diclofenac and codeine, which may interact with cold medications like pain relievers, NSAIDs, or decongestants. This could lead to unwanted side effects and complications. Always consult your doctor before combining Diclofenac+codeine with cold medications to ensure your safety.
When using Diclofenac+codeine with other pain relievers, be cautious. Combining it with NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen may increase the risk of stomach pain and bleeding. Also, avoid mixing with opioids or sedatives, as it may cause excessive drowsiness and breathing problems. Always consult your doctor before combining medications to ensure safety.
