Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside
About
Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside is a combination medication primarily used to reduce and relieve pain due to muscle spasms (painful muscular contractions) associated with degenerative vertebral disorders, torticollis (neck muscle contractions), and upper and lower back pain. Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable.
Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside is a combination of two drugs: Diclofenac and Thiocolchicoside. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (pain killer/NSAID) and relieves pain. It inhibits cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes and further prevents the formation of chemical messengers, 'prostaglandins' (PGs), that cause pain and swelling at the injured or damaged site. Thiocolchicoside is a muscle relaxant that works on the centres of the spinal cord and brain. This helps reduce muscle stiffness and improves muscle movements, thereby relieving pain due to muscle spasms.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on the severity of your pain. Common side effects of Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and heartburn. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside, inform your doctor if you have any liver, heart or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, stomach ulcers, asthma, muscular hypotonia (decreased muscle tone), flaccid paresis (loose and floppy limbs), autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus), and smoking habit. Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside should not be given to children and adolescents below 18 years of age as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol while undergoing treatment with Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside.
Uses of Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside
Medicinal Benefits
Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside treats pain due to muscle spasms. It contains Diclofenac and Thiocolchicoside. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and relieves pain. It inhibits cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes that further prevents the formation of chemical messengers called 'prostaglandins (PGs). These prostaglandins are produced at injury sites and cause pain and swelling. By blocking COX enzymes' effect, lesser PGs are produced, which reduces mild to moderate pain and inflammation at the injured or damaged site. Thiocolchicoside is a muscle relaxant that works on the centres of the spinal cord and brain. This helps reduce muscle stiffness and improves muscle movements, thereby relieving pain due to muscle spasms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Heartburn
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have any liver, heart or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, stomach ulcers, asthma, muscular hypotonia (decreased muscle tone), flaccid paresis (loose and floppy limbs), autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus), and smoking habit. Please consult your doctor before starting Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside if you have high cholesterol, chickenpox, porphyria (rare inherited disorder), hereditary disorders like Lapp lactase deficiency (lactose intolerance), galactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption (small intestines not being able to absorb and use glucose and galactose), fits, and blood clotting disorders. Do not take any other NSAIDs for pain relief along with Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside unless prescribed. Stop taking Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside and consult your doctor immediately if you have stomach pain or any signs of bleeding in the intestine or stomach, such as blood in stools. Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside may cause dizziness and drowsiness, so drive only if you are alert and focused. Avoid consuming alcohol while being treated with Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside. This medicine is not recommended in children and adolescents below 18 years of age as safety and efficacy are not established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside may interact with anti-diabetics, blood thinners (warfarin), water pills, anti-depressants (lithium), anti-cancer drugs (methotrexate), immunosuppressants (ciclosporin, tacrolimus), drugs treating urinary tract infections (Trimethoprim), medicines used for abortion (mifepristone), pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen), heart-related drugs (digoxin), antibiotics (voriconazole), fits medicines (phenytoin), and cholesterol-lowering drugs (cholestyramine, colestipol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol consumption while using this medicine to avoid the risk of adverse effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before starting Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside, inform your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, blood disorders, galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, fits, muscular hypotonia, asthma, porphyria, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, heart, kidney, and liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside to avoid the risk of adverse effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeDiclofenac+thiocolchicoside is not recommended during pregnancy since it may harm the developing baby. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDiclofenac+thiocolchicoside is not recommended during breastfeeding as it may be excreted in breast milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Please consult your doctor if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionDiclofenac+thiocolchicoside may make you feel dizzy, sleepy and can cause vision problems sometimes. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness or drowsiness.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor since Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor since Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
unsafeDiclofenac+thiocolchicoside is not recommended in children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching, reducing spasm, tear and sprain incidence. Mild exercises, such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful to ease the pain.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes; wear loose garments for proper blood circulation.
- Rest well and get plenty of sleep.
- Hot or cold therapy can help treat muscle spasms. Apply an ice or hot pack on the muscle for 15-20 minutes.
- Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside if you are undergoing any medical tests.
- Your doctor may recommend liver function tests to monitor your liver functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body.
Muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty moving, pain in affected muscles and joints. Fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection and tight clothing can trigger muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants and exercise can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help in inhibiting painful contractions. At the same time, exercise helps in muscle stretching to be less likely to spasm, tear and sprain.
FAQs
Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside contains Diclofenac and Thiocolchicoside. Diclofenac works by blocking the action of certain chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation at the injured or damaged site. Thiocolchicoside is a muscle relaxant that relieves muscle stiffness due to muscle spasms and improves muscle movements.
Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside is usually prescribed for a short period and can be discontinued if there is no pain. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside.
Diarrhoea can be a side-effect of Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside. Drink enough fluids and eat fibre rich food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or experience excess diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicine on your own.
It is not advised to use other NSAIDs or pain killers while using Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside. Please seek medical advice for further information.
You are not recommended to take Diclofenac+thiocolchicoside with warfarin as simultaneous use of these two medicines may increase the bleeding risk. However, if you are supposed to use these medicines together, please contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted or you may be prescribed alternate medicine.
