{"id":56647,"date":"2023-01-22T13:45:19","date_gmt":"2023-01-22T18:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=56647"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:50:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T17:50:07","slug":"diclofenac-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/diclofenac-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Diclofenac alternatives: What can I take instead of diclofenac?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diclofenac<\/span><\/a> is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) most commonly prescribed for inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It requires a prescription, but it can also be used for minor conditions such as sprains, headaches, or menstrual pain. Diclofenac may not be the best choice for every patient. It can cause some adverse events, especially with consistent or long-term use. Fortunately, there are <\/span>alternative options<\/span><\/a> to treat the same conditions, and these include other<\/span> NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>, COX-2 inhibitors, and non-NSAID pain relievers.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of diclofenac?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most appropriate alternative to diclofenac for you will be determined by your pain level, concurrent medical conditions, and sometimes your insurance coverage or ability to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patients with an aspirin or salicylate allergy should not take diclofenac or other NSAID drugs. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is often one of the only non-narcotic choices for pain for patients with an allergic reaction to NSAIDs. Regular use of diclofenac can result in <\/span>gastritis<\/span><\/a>, gastrointestinal ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be very serious and severe. Concurrent use of corticosteroids, <\/span>anticoagulants<\/span><\/a>, antiplatelets, chemotherapy, tobacco, and <\/span>alcohol<\/span><\/a> can increase the likelihood of these GI side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most NSAID drugs carry the risk of stomach pain and stomach <\/span>ulcers<\/span><\/a>, and that risk increases with longer durations of treatment and higher doses. It is important to use the lowest dose that provides effective symptom relief. Unfortunately, there are rarely warning signs that these stomach effects are happening. Some patients may dismiss signs such as heartburn for too long, and the issue can become very serious. You should always let your healthcare provider know of any stomach issues when taking diclofenac sodium or any NSAID drugs. It is also important to provide a complete list of current medications so they can screen for any potential drug interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the gastrointestinal adverse events of NSAIDs are a concern for you, Mobic or Celebrex offers the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAID drugs while bypassing the metabolic pathways that can cause gastrointestinal damage of traditional NSAIDs. Advil and Aleve are available without a prescription and are safe options for the short-term treatment of mild to moderate arthritis pain and inflammation. Tylenol is a non-NSAID over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief option for those with aspirin or salicylate allergies. For severe pain in patients who can not tolerate NSAID treatment, opioid analgesics may be the last resort for pain treatment options. Opioid treatment is typically done under the care of pain management specialists, but it carries its own adverse events, such as constipation, drowsiness, or tiredness. Below is more information on some diclofenac alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Diclofenac side effects and how to avoid them<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare diclofenac alternatives<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Voltaren (diclofenac)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, migraine, pain, dysmenorrhea<\/span><\/td>\n50 mg to 75 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nVoltaren coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Voltaren Gel 1% (diclofenac gel 1%)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis<\/span><\/td>\n4g per lower extremity joint 4 times daily or 2g per elbow, wrist, or hand joint 4 times daily\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nVoltaren Gel 1% coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Relafen (nabumetone)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n500 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nRelafen coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indocin (indomethacin)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, pain<\/span><\/td>\n25 mg by mouth 2 to 3 times daily with food<\/span><\/td>\nIndocin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lodine (etodolac)<\/span><\/td>\nPain, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n400 mg to 500 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nLodine coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feldene (piroxicam)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n20 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nFeldene coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mobic (meloxicam)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n7.5 mg to 15 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nMobic coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Celebrex (celecoxib)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n100 mg by mouth twice daily or 200 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nCelebrex coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arthrotec (diclofenac\/ misoprostol)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis in patients at high risk of developing NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers<\/span><\/td>\n50 mg\/ 0.2 mg by mouth three times daily<\/span><\/td>\nArthrotec coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advil (ibuprofen)<\/span><\/td>\nArthritis, dysmenorrhea, pain<\/span><\/td>\n400 mg to 800 mg by mouth three to four times daily<\/span><\/td>\nAdvil coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Naprosyn (naproxen)<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, pain, acute gout, dysmenorrhea<\/span><\/td>\n250 mg to 500 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nNaprosyn coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Decadron (dexamethasone)<\/span><\/td>\nRheumatic disorders, Adrenocortical abnormalities, anaphylactic reactions, other immune-related and inflammatory conditions<\/span><\/td>\n2mg to 4mg intra-articular injection for large joints, or 0.8mg to 1mg for small joints<\/span><\/td>\nDecadron coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cymbalta (duloxetine)<\/span><\/td>\nMajor depression, generalized anxiety disorder, chronic musculoskeletal pain, chronic back pain<\/span><\/td>\n60 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nCymbalta coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to diclofenac<\/span><\/h3>\n