Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS).Diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets, are indicated:For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritisFor relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

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Physical findings -- Objective evidence of disease perceptible to the examining physician.

Symptoms -- An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis -- A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated.

Diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to diclofenac.

Diclofenac sodium should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients (see WARNINGS: Anaphylactoid Reactions, and PRECAUTIONS: General: Preexisting Asthma).Diclofenac sodium is contraindicated for the treatment of perioperative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see WARNINGS).

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Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

Asthma -- A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).

Urticaria -- A vascular reaction of the skin characterized by erythema and wheal formation due to localized increase of vascular permeability. The causative mechanism may be allergy, infection, or stress.

Allergic Reaction --

ANAPHYLACTOID REACTION --

Pain -- An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS.

Clinical trials of several COX-2 selective and nonselective NSAIDs of up to three years duration have shown an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal.

All NSAIDs, both COX-2 selective and nonselective, may have a similar risk.

Patients with known CV disease or risk factors for CV disease may be at greater risk.

To minimize the potential risk for an adverse CV event in patients treated with an NSAID, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration possible.

Physicians and patients should remain alert for the development of such events, even in the absence of previous CV symptoms.

Patients should be informed about the signs and/or symptoms of serious CV events and the steps to take if they occur.There is no consistent evidence that concurrent use of aspirin mitigates the increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events associated with NSAID use.

The concurrent use of aspirin and an NSAID does increase the risk of serious GI events (see WARNINGS: Gastrointestinal Effects).Two large, controlled, clinical trials of a COX-2 selective NSAID for the treatment of pain in the first 10 to 14 days following CABG surgery found an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

The following US Branded drugs contain Diclofenac Sodium

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SOLARAZE -- NYCOMED US INC

VOLTAREN -- NOVARTIS CONSUMER HEALTH INC

VOLTAREN -- NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORP

VOLTAREN-XR -- NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORP

ARTHROTEC -- GD SEARLE LLC