Diclofenac is strictly restricted to pregnant women and breast feeding women because it can seriously affect the cardiovascular system of the unborn baby. To breast feeding women, this drug can be excreted in the breast milk and can affect the baby. Diclofenac is associated with many probable interactions which may interfere with the action of other drugs in the body for example, it can tremendously reduce the blood pressure by lowering the blood pressure medications, diclofenac can also increase the lithium level by lowering its excretion by the kidneys and it can also lower the elimination of methotrexate from the body and lead to increased side effects from methotrexate.
 

All drugs that contain diclofenac sodium are today required to include strong precautions concerning possible liver toxicity. This change came about after the health researchers found out that the Volteren, diclofenac sodium that is used for relieving osteoarthritis induced pain can lead to very serious liver reactions such as liver failure, hepatitis, necrosis and jaundice. The reports also reveal that the usage of this drug has lead to liver transplant and death. The FDA and diclofenac manufacturers have today highlighted the new precautions and warnings which apply to all products that contain diclofenac sodium because of its effects. The effects of diclofenac to your liver can be realized within the first two months of therapy. Liver abnormalities can also occur at any time when you are under treatment with diclofenac.

Before taking diclofenac, it is very important to know how it works, its side effects and any important information that will prevent severe liver damage after or during the medication. The physicians recommend that patients be given the lowest effective dose of diclofenac for the shortest period of time as possible. It is also required that the patient’s transaminases be monitored closely when they are under this medication for a long period of time. Patient should be aware of the warning signs of the drug’s side effects which may include diarrhea, jaundice, nausea, fatigue, lethargy and right upper quadrant tenderness among others. Other side effects of diclofenac include liver toxicity, gastrointestinal system. Diclofenac can also cause abdominal burning, cramping, ulcerations and other serious gastrointestinal bleeding.

At times the patients who are under diclofenac medication may feel dizzy upon standing, which might be a sign of internal bleeding. Some users of this drug can also experience ringing in the ears, lightheadedness, and kidney impairment. This kind of medication is restricted to the patients who are allergic to other NSAIDs because they lower the blood pressure and lead to low flow of blood into the kidney which is more risky to their health. In most cases, kidney impairment affects the patients whose kidneys are already weak or the ones who have congestive heart failure. In this case, diclofenac should be used cautiously. Also the patients who suffer from asthma can experience certain allergic reactions to diclofenac.