Diclofenac sodium topical gel is indicated for the topical treatment of actinic keratoses (AK). Diclofenac sodium topical gel is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the topical treatment of actinic keratoses (AK). ( 1 )
Contraindications
Diclofenac sodium topical gel is contraindicated in the following patients: With known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions) to diclofenac or any components of the drug product [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3 , 5.10 ) and Description ( 11 )] With the history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 )] Application on damaged skin resulting from any etiology, including exudative dermatitis, eczema, infected lesions, burns or wounds [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] In the setting of coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Known hypersensitivity to diclofenac or any components of the drug product.
( 4 , 11 ) History of asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. ( 4 ) Use on damaged skin. ( 4 ) In the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
Anaphylactic Reactions: Seek emergency help if an anaphylactic reaction occurs. ( 5.1 ) Exacerbation of Asthma Related to Aspirin Sensitivity: Diclofenac sodium topical gel is contraindicated in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma. Monitor patients with pre-existing asthma (without aspirin sensitivity). ( 5.2 ) Serious Skin Reactions: Discontinue diclofenac sodium topical gel at first appearance of skin rash or other signs of hypersensitivity.
( 5.3 , 5.15 ) Hepatoxicity: Inform patients of warning signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity. Discontinue if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen or if clinical signs and symptoms of liver disease develop. ( 5.6 ) Hypertension: Patients taking some antihypertensive medications may have impaired response to these therapies when taking NSAIDs. Monitor blood pressure. ( 5.7 , 7 ) Heart Failure and Edema: Avoid use of diclofenac sodium topical gel in patients with severe heart failure.
( 5.8 ) Renal Toxicity: Monitor renal function in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, heart failure, dehydration, or hypovolemia. Avoid use of diclofenac sodium topical gel in patients with advanced renal disease. ( 5.9 ) Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): Discontinue diclofenac sodium topical gel and evaluate clinically. ( 5.10 ) Fetal Toxicity: Limit use of NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium topical gel, between about 20 to 30 weeks in pregnancy due to the risk of oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction.
Avoid use of NSAIDs in women at about 30 weeks gestation and later in pregnancy due to the risks of oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction and premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. ( 5.11 , 8.1 ) Hematologic Toxicity: Monitor hemoglobin or hematocrit in patients with any signs or symptoms of anemia. ( 5.12 , 7 ). Photosensitivity: Avoid exposure of treated area(s) to natural or artificial sunlight. ( 5.15 ) Exposure to Eyes and Mucosal Membranes: Avoid contact of diclofenac sodium topical gel with eyes and mucosal membranes.
( 5.16 ) Oral Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Avoid concurrent use with oral NSAIDs. ( 5.17 )
5.1Anaphylactic Reactions
Diclofenac has been associated with anaphylactic reactions in patients with and without known hypersensitivity to diclofenac and in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Seek emergency help if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.
5.2Exacerbation of Asthma Related to Aspirin Sensitivity
A subpopulation of patients with asthma may have aspirin-sensitive asthma which may include chronic rhinosinusitis complicated by nasal polyps; severe, potentially fatal bronchospasm; and/or intolerance to aspirin and other NSAIDs. Because cross-reactivity between aspirin and other NSAIDs has been reported in such aspirin-sensitive patients, diclofenac sodium topical gel is contraindicated in patients with this form of aspirin sensitivity.
When diclofenac sodium topical gel is used in patients with preexisting asthma (without known aspirin sensitivity), monitor patients for changes in the signs and symptoms of asthma.
5.3Serious Skin Reactions
NSAIDs, including diclofenac, can cause serious skin adverse reactions such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal. These serious events may occur without warning. Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of serious skin reactions, and to discontinue the use of diclofenac sodium topical gel at the first appearance of skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity.
Diclofenac sodium topical gel is contraindicated in patients with previous serious skin reactions to NSAIDs. Do not apply diclofenac sodium topical gel to open skin wounds, infections, or exfoliative dermatitis, as it may affect absorption and tolerability of the drug [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .
5.4Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events
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, including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, which can be fatal. Based on available data, it is unclear that the risk for CV thrombotic events is similar for all NSAIDs. The relative increase in serious CV thrombotic events over baseline conferred by NSAID use appears to be similar in those with and without known CV disease or risk factors for CV disease.
However, patients with known CV disease or risk factors had a higher absolute incidence of excess serious CV thrombotic events, due to their increased baseline rate. Some observational studies found that this increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events began as early as the first weeks of treatment. The increase in CV thrombotic risk has been observed most consistently at higher doses. To minimize the potential risk for an adverse CV event in NSAID-treated patients, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
Physicians and patients should remain alert for the development of such events, throughout the entire treatment course, even in the absence of previous CV symptoms. Patients should be informed about the 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, such as diclofenac, increases the risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) events. Status Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery Two controlled clinical trials of a COX-2 selective NSAID for the treatment of pain in the first 10–14 days following CABG surgery found an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. NSAIDs are contraindicated in the setting of CABG.
Post-MI Patients Observational studies conducted in the Danish National Registry have demonstrated that patients treated with NSAIDs in the post-MI period were at increased risk of reinfarction, CV-related death, and all-cause mortality beginning in the first week of treatment. In this same cohort, the incidence of death in the first-year post MI was 20 per 100 person years in NSAID-treated patients compared to 12 per 100 person years in non-NSAID exposed patients.
Although the absolute rate of death declined somewhat after the first year post-MI, the increased relative risk of death in NSAID users persisted over at least the next four years of follow-up. Avoid the use of diclofenac sodium topical gel in patients with a recent MI unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risk of recurrent CV thrombotic events. If diclofenac sodium topical gel is used in patients with a recent MI, monitor patients for signs of cardiac ischemia.
5.5Gastrointestinal Bleeding Ulceration and Perforation
NSAIDs, including diclofenac, cause serious GI adverse events including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, which can be fatal. These serious adverse events can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated with NSAIDs. Only one in five patients who develop a serious upper GI adverse event on NSAID therapy is symptomatic.
Upper GI ulcers, gross bleeding, or perforation caused by NSAIDs occurred in approximately 1% of patients treated for 3 to 6 months, and in about 2% to 4% of patients treated for one year. However, even short-term NSAID therapy is not without risk. Risk Factors for GI Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation Patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding who used NSAIDs had a greater than 10-fold increased risk for developing a GI bleed compared to patients without these risk factors.
Other factors that increase the risk of GI bleeding in patients treated with NSAIDs include longer duration of NSAID therapy; concomitant use of
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Interactions
See Table 2 for clinically significant drug interactions with diclofenac. Table 2: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Diclofenac Drugs That Interfere with Hemostasis Clinical Impact: Diclofenac and anticoagulants such as warfarin have a synergistic effect on bleeding. The concomitant use of diclofenac and anticoagulants have an increased risk of serious bleeding compared to the use of either drug alone. Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis.
Case-control and cohort epidemiological studies showed that concomitant use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and an NSAID may potentiate the risk of bleeding more than an NSAID alone. Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] .
Aspirin Clinical Impact: In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated with a significantly increased incidence of GI adverse reactions as compared to use of the NSAID alone [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Intervention: Concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and analgesic doses of aspirin is not generally recommended because of the increased risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )] .
Diclofenac sodium topical gel is not a substitute for low dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection. ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, and Beta-Blockers Clinical Impact: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or beta-blockers (including propranolol). In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or have renal impairment, co-administration of an NSAID with ACE inhibitors or ARBs may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure.
These effects are usually reversible. Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and ACE-inhibitors, ARBs, or beta-blockers, monitor blood pressure to ensure that the desired blood pressure is obtained. During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and ACE-inhibitors or ARBs in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted, or have impaired renal function, monitor for signs of worsening renal function [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] .
Diuretics Clinical Impact: Clinical studies, as well as post-marketing observations, showed that NSAIDs reduced the natriuretic effect of loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) and thiazide diuretics in some patients. This effect has been attributed to the NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel with diuretics, observe patients for signs of worsening renal function, in addition to assuring diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] .
Digoxin Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of diclofenac with digoxin has been reported to increase the serum concentration and prolong the half-life of digoxin. Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and digoxin, monitor serum digoxin levels. Lithium Clinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%.
This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity. Methotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction). Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity.
Cyclosporine Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and cyclosporine may increase cyclosporine's nephrotoxicity. Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and cyclosporine, monitor patients for signs of worsening renal function. NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] .
Intervention: The concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel with other NSAIDs or salicylates is not recommended. Pemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and pemetrexed may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (see the pemetrexed prescribing information). Intervention: During concomitant use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and pemetrexed, in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance ranges from 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal and GI toxicity.
NSAIDs with short elimination half-lives (e.g., diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of two days before, the day of, and two days following administration of pemetrexed. In the absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration.
Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (e.g., warfarin, aspirin, SSRIs/SNRIs): Monitor patients for bleeding who are using diclofenac sodium topical gel concomitantly with drugs that interfere with hemostasis. ( 7 ) ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), or Beta-Blockers: Concomitant use with diclofenac sodium topical gel may diminish the antihypertensive effect of these drugs. ( 7 ) ACE Inhibitors and ARBs: Concomitant use with diclofenac sodium topical gel in elderly, volume depleted, or those with renal impairment may result in deterioration of renal function.
( 7 ) Diuretics: NSAIDs can reduce natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazide diuretics. ( 7 ) Digoxin: Concomitant use with diclofenac sodium topical gel may increase serum concentration and prolong half-life of digoxin. ( 7 )
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Use of NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium topical gel, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Because of these risks, limit dose and duration of diclofenac sodium topical gel use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation and avoid diclofenac sodium topical gel use at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy.
Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment Use of NSAIDs at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy has been associated with cases of fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus Use of NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium topical gel, at about 30 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.
Data from observational studies regarding other potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimesters of pregnancy are inconclusive. In animal reproduction studies, no evidence of malformations was observed in mice, rats, or rabbits given diclofenac during the period of organogenesis at doses at least 15 times, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of diclofenac sodium topical gel (see Data) .
Based on published animal data, prostaglandins have been shown to have an important role in endometrial vascular permeability, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization, and administration of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as diclofenac sodium, resulted in increased pre- and post-implantation loss. Prostaglandins also have been shown to have an important role in fetal kidney development. In published animal studies, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors have been reported to impair kidney development when administered at clinically relevant doses.
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus Avoid use of NSAIDs in women at about 30 weeks gestation and later in pregnancy, because NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium topical gel, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.
Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment If after careful consideration of alternative treatment options for actinic keratoses, an NSAID is necessary at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy, limit the use to the lowest effective dose and shortest duration possible. If diclofenac sodium topical gel treatment extends beyond 48 hours, consider monitoring with ultrasound for oligohydramnios. If oligohydramnios occurs, discontinue diclofenac sodium topical gel and follow up according to clinical practice.
Labor or Delivery There are no studies on the effects of diclofenac sodium topical gel during labor or delivery. In animal studies, NSAIDS, including diclofenac, inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, cause delayed parturition, and increase the incidence of stillbirth. Data Human Data Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus Published literature reports that the use of NSAIDs at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy may cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.
Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment Published studies and postmarketing reports describe maternal NSAID use at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy associated with fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. These adverse outcomes are seen, on average, after days to weeks of treatment, although oligohydramnios has been infrequently reported as soon as 48 hours after NSAID initiation.
In many cases, but not all, the decrease in amniotic fluid was transient and reversible with cessation of the drug. There have been a limited number of case reports of maternal NSAID use and neonatal renal dysfunction without oligohydramnios, some of which were irreversible. Some cases of neonatal renal dysfunction required treatment with invasive procedures, such as exchange transfusion or dialysis. Methodological limitations of these postmarketing studies and reports include lack of a control group; limited information regarding dose, duration, and timing of drug exposure; and concomitant use of other medications.
These limitations preclude establishing a reliable estimate of the risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes with maternal NSAID use. Because the published safety data on neonatal outcomes involved mostly preterm infants, the generalizability of certain reported risks to the full-term infant exposed to NSAIDs through maternal use is uncertain. Animal Data The multiples provided in this labeling are based on an MRHD that assumes 10% bioavailability following topical application of 2 g diclofenac sodium topical gel per day (1 mg/kg diclofenac sodium).
Reproductive studies performed with diclofenac sodium alone at oral doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (15 times the MRHD based on body surface area (BSA) comparisons) in mice, 10 mg/kg/day (15 times the MRHD based on BSA comparisons) in rats, and 10 mg/kg/day (30 times the MRHD based on BSA comparisons) in rabbits have revealed no evidence of malformations despite the induction of maternal toxicity. In rats, maternally toxic doses were associated with dystocia, prolonged gestation, reduced fetal weights and growth, and reduced fetal survival.
Diclofenac has been shown to cross the placental barrier in mice and rats.
Adverse reactions
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Anaphylactic Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Exacerbation of Asthma Related to Aspirin Sensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Serious Skin Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] GI Bleeding, Ulceration and Perforation [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Hepatotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Hypertension [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Heart Failure and Edema [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Renal Toxicity and Hyperkalemia [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] DRESS [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Hematologic Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )] Photosensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.15 )] Most common adverse reactions with diclofenac sodium topical gel are application site reactions, including dermatitis.
( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-866-210-9797 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/med.watch.
6.1Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Of the 423 subjects evaluable for safety in adequate and well-controlled trials, 211 were treated with diclofenac sodium topical gel drug product and 212 were treated with a vehicle gel.
Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the diclofenac sodium topical gel-treated subjects (183 subjects) and 84% of the vehicle-treated subjects (178 subjects) experienced one or more adverse events (AEs) during the trials. The majority of these reactions were mild to moderate in severity and resolved upon discontinuation of therapy. Of the 211 subjects treated with diclofenac sodium topical gel, 172 (82%) experienced AEs involving skin and the application site compared to 160 (75%) vehicle-treated subjects.
Application site reactions (ASRs) were the most frequent AEs in both diclofenac sodium topical gel- and vehicle-treated groups. Of note, four reactions, contact dermatitis, rash, dry skin and exfoliation (scaling) were significantly more prevalent in the diclofenac sodium topical gel group than in the vehicle-treated subjects. Eighteen percent of diclofenac sodium topical gel-treated subjects and 4% of vehicle-treated subjects discontinued from the clinical trials due to adverse events (whether considered related to treatment or not).
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of diclofenac sodium topical gel and other topical diclofenac products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions from diclofenac sodium topical gel: burning sensation, hypersensitivity.
Adverse reactions from other topical diclofenac products: hypoesthesia, gait disturbance, musculoskeletal
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Composition
Active ingredients
DICLOFENAC SODIUM 3%
Strengths and forms
The FDA lists each strength of a product separately; these pages share one label.
Prognia shows this product information for reference and learning. It is not treatment advice and can lag behind the official text. Always check the current product information and local protocols before prescribing.
At a glance
Brand name
Diclofenac Sodium
Drug class
Other dermatologicals, Acetic acid derivatives and related substances, Antiinflammatory preparations, non-steroids for topical use
