What Is Diclofenac Potassium Used For?

Many people wonder, "What is diclofenac potassium used for?" Diclofenac potassium is used for reducing pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness associated with several conditions. Some specific uses of the medicine include relieving arthritis symptoms; treating painful menstrual periods; and reducing pain related to inflammation or bone, muscle, or tendon injury. Diclofenac potassium is also sometimes used off-label for relieving symptoms of gout, fibromyalgia, and systemic lupus erythematosus, among other conditions. Diclofenac potassium has not been approved for use in children.

 

What Is Diclofenac Potassium Used For? -- An Overview

Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to pain, inflammation, swelling, or stiffness.
 
Specific diclofenac potassium uses include:
 
  • Pain relief. Diclofenac potassium relieves pain caused by straining a muscle or inflammation in a tendon (tendonitis) or bursa (bursitis), as well as pain following a medical procedure.
     
  • Relief of osteoarthritis symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and swelling.
     
  • Relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
     
  • Treatment of painful menstrual periods.
     
Diclofenac potassium is not a cure for the types of arthritis mentioned above, nor does it slow the progression of the disease.
 

How Does Diclofenac Potassium Work?

Diclofenac potassium and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins. By blocking the effects of prostaglandins, diclofenac potassium is useful at reducing pain related to bone, muscle, or tendon injury or inflammation and alleviating pain and joint swelling associated with different forms of arthritis and other conditions.
 
(What Is Diclofenac Potassium Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;