Diclofenac Suppository: Side Effects, Precautions, and Interactions

Diclofenac suppository is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication that is useful in reducing swelling and relieving pain. The medication is useful for dental pain, athletic injuries, muscle aches, stiffness, and inflammation related to arthritis. It comes with various side effects, precautions, and interactions explained below that you should understand for the best results.

Side Effects

After using the acetaminophen suppositories, you may get light headedness, rectal irritation, dizziness, appetite loss, and drowsiness. When the effects become severe or persist for long, you should consult your pharmacist or doctor. However, you must consult a doctor immediately when you have rectal bleeding, hearing loss, and/or vision changes. Stop taking the diclofenac suppository and notify your pharmacist/doctor immediately in case of abdominal pain, black stools, regular stomach pain, and vomits.

Precautions

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about your medical history. It is essential if you have been through any of the conditions like kidney or liver disease, ulcers, alcohol use, blood disorders, rectal bleeding, heart disease, eye disease, nasal polyps, high blood pressure, asthma, and other allergies. You should control your alcohol limit because it might increase the medication’s drowsiness effect. If you consume alcohol daily with medication, the stomach bleeding risk may be high. Acetaminophen suppositories also increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, so avoid direct sun exposure for a long time using protective clothing or sunscreen. Take advice from your doctor in case of pregnancy. And during the last six pregnancy months, the use of this suppository is not advised.

Interactions

Refer to your doctor for all non-prescription and prescription medications especially for blood thinners like warfarin, arthritis medication, lithium, and water pills. Verify the constituents of non-prescription medication before consuming any. While aspirin intake should be done after consulting with a doctor only and many cold and cough medications consist of aspirin. Besides, you shouldn’t stop or start any kind of medication without the approval of a pharmacist or doctor.

In short, before taking the suppository, you should consider all the precautions and side effects. However, if you forget to take a dose, it is advised to skip the medicine and start again with your daily dosage instead of opting for a double dosage.