Diclofenac for children

Diclofenac is one of the most popular anti-inflammatory drugs. It is in demand among adults for arthritis, muscle injuries and other pain-related problems. Not everyone knows whether such a medication can be used in childhood when it is prescribed to children.

Release form

The drug is presented in different forms.

Muscle injection solution

One package of such a drug contains 5 or 10 ampoules of 3 ml of a yellowish or colorless transparent solution.

1% or 5% gel

It is a white, white-cream or white-yellow homogeneous mass, which in one tube can be from 15 to 100 g.

About the properties of Diclofenac ointment - a detailed video for our visitors.

1% ointment

This medicine is a white substance with an indistinct odor. It is usually sold in cans or tubes of 30 g, but some manufacturers offer other options.

Rectal suppositories

They are white or cream-white in color, torpedo-shaped and uniform in structure. One box contains 5, 6 or 10 candles.

The following video provides instructions on the use of suppositories and Diclofenac tablets, as well as patient reviews.

Pills

They are distinguished by a convex round shape and an orange shell, which dissolves in the intestines. Long-acting tablets are available, which have a pink film shell. One pack of tablets contains from 10 to 50 pieces.

Eye drops

It is a clear liquid without color or with a yellowish tinge, placed in plastic dropper bottles (in a volume of 5 ml).

Composition

In one tablet, such a compound is presented in a dosage of 25 or 50 mg. The long-acting drug contains 100 mg of diclofenac sodium. Among the auxiliary components of the solid drug, sodium lauryl sulfate, lactose, povidone K30, magnesium stearate and other substances can be distinguished.
One suppository contains 50 or 100 mg of diclofenac sodium, to which solid fats and other ingredients are added.
The concentration of diclofenac in the ointment is 10 mg per 1 g of the drug. The auxiliary ingredients of this form are propylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide and macrogol.

The composition of the forms of "Diclofenac" is different, but the main ingredient in any of them is sodium diclofenac.

Such a preparation may contain both 1 and 5 g of sodium diclofenac per 100 g of the drug (depending on the concentration of the gel). Additionally, it includes propylene glycol, lavender oil, purified water and other compounds.
1 ml of solution for injections contains 25 mg of active substance, supplemented with sodium hydroxide and disulfite, benzyl alcohol, mannitol, liquid for injection and propylene glycol.
The content of diclofenac in 1 ml of eye drops is 1 mg. The drug also contains sterile water, propylene glycol, sodium chloride and other compounds.

Operating principle

Diclofenac has a strong anti-inflammatory effect due to its ability to suppress the formation of substances that support and activate the inflammatory process. For this effect, this medication is superior to almost all other drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The analgesic effect of Diclofenac is no less pronounced. In addition, the drug has antipyretic and antiplatelet effects. The use of the drug reduces pain, relieves swelling at the site of inflammation and accelerates recovery in various inflammatory diseases. When used topically, the drug almost does not penetrate the bloodstream and acts only where it is applied.

Indications

Most often, "Diclofenac" is prescribed for pain caused by the inflammatory process.

For this purpose, the medicine is prescribed for:

Neuralgia.
Arthritis.
Tendovaginitis.
Bursitis.
Muscle pain.
Pain syndrome after injury or surgery.
Toothache.

The medication can also be used in combination with other medicines in the treatment of pharyngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis and other diseases, if they are manifested by severe pain and high fever.

From what age is it allowed to take?

Local forms of Diclofenac (ointment, gel) are allowed for children over 6 years old.
The use of tablets with a dose of 25 mg is also not recommended until the age of 6, but if indicated, such a drug can be prescribed for younger children.
Injections are not prescribed for children under 11 years of age.
Tablets and suppositories with a dosage of 50 mg are contraindicated until the age of 15, and drugs with prolonged exposure (tablets and suppositories with 100 mg of diclofenac) are not prescribed before 18 years.
The use of eye drops under the age of 18 should only be prescribed by a doctor (if the expected effect is more important than the risk of side effects).

Contraindications

"Diclofenac" is not used:

If the patient has hypersensitivity to any of its components.
If a child is diagnosed with ulcerative or erosive lesions of the gastrointestinal mucosa, as well as bleeding in the digestive tract.
With bronchial asthma and aspirin intolerance.
If an inflammatory bowel disease has worsened, such as Crohn's disease.
With disorders of hemostasis and hematopoiesis - for example, with hemophilia.
With serious liver pathologies.
With severe renal failure.

The tablets are not used for lactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption, and ointment or gel is prohibited if the skin is damaged. The increased attention of the doctor requires the appointment of "Diclofenac" for anemia, heart failure, edema, diabetes mellitus and many other diseases. The medicine is not recommended for adults during pregnancy and lactation.

Side effects

During treatment with Diclofenac, you may experience:

Negative symptoms from the digestive tract - for example, stomach pain, nausea, decreased appetite, loose stools, or flatulence.
Disorders of the liver, which are manifested by increased enzyme activity.
Headaches as well as dizziness.
Allergic reactions if the child has diathesis.

More rare side effects of the drug are drowsiness, jaundice, gastritis, ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, insomnia, depression, tremors, visual disturbances, increased blood pressure, kidney inflammation, and others. If they occur, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Instructions for use

«Diclofenac ”tablets should be taken during meals or immediately after meals. The dosage for tablets of 25 mg of active ingredient is calculated based on the weight of the small patient. To do this, the weight of the baby is multiplied in kilograms by 0.5-2, the resulting number of milligrams is divided into 2 or 3 doses. For example, if a child at 9 years old weighs 30 kg, then the daily dose of "Diclofenac" for him will be 15-60 mg.
A child over 15 years of age is given tablets with a dose of 50 mg of the active substance, 1 piece (2-3 times a day).
The calculation of the dosage of suppositories is also made by weight, appointing for each kilogram of the patient's body weight from 0.5 to 2 mg of the active ingredient.
Diclofenac injections are prescribed only for a short time (no longer than 2 days), after which they switch to other forms. The drug must be injected deep into the muscle tissue.
The gel / ointment is applied to the desired area of the skin with a thin layer, and then gently rubbed. An occlusive dressing is not applied to the treated area. The manipulation is carried out 2-4 times a day. The dose of a local remedy at the age of 6-12 years is 1-2 g, and for a child over 12 years old - 2-4 g of the drug. The maximum dose per day is 8 g, and the duration of treatment is 1-2 weeks.

Overdose

If the dose of the drug is too large, it provokes vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions and other dangerous symptoms. The patient should immediately flush the stomach and call a doctor.

Drug interactions

Treatment with Diclofenac can affect the intake of many other medicines. These are, for example, diuretics, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, hypoglycemic and other drugs. Co-administration with any other drugs should be monitored by a doctor.

Terms of sale

Diclofenac gel and ointment can be freely purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription, and other forms of the medication are prescription drugs.

Storage conditions and shelf life

Any form of "Diclofenac" should be stored at room temperature - from +15 to +25 degrees. The shelf life for different forms and different manufacturers can be 2, 3 or 4 years, so it should be determined by the date on the package.

Reviews

There are many good reviews about the use of Diclofenac. The drug is praised for its wide variety of dosage forms, so it can be used for different problems. Parents note that this medicine effectively relieves pain and helps get rid of inflammation. I also like the drug because it is available in most pharmacies, and its cost is quite acceptable.

As for the disadvantages of the drug, the main disadvantage is the frequent appearance of side effects (like other drugs in its group). According to mothers, in most cases they are represented by a negative reaction of the digestive tract, allergies, dizziness or headaches.

Analogs

Other drugs based on the same active compound can replace Diclofenac. These include "Diklak", Voltaren, "Diklovit", "Naklofen", "Diklobene", "Ortofen" and others. They are available in different forms (gel, ointment, injections, tablets, capsules), so it is not difficult to find a suitable analogue. In addition, the medication can replace other drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, Ibuprofen).