Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S
Description:
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is prescribed to treat inflammation (swelling) and pain
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is also be prescribed to treat backache,migraines,toothaches and rheumatoid arthritis
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S contains Diclofenac Sodium (an Nsaid)
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is taken orally (via mouth)
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S can be prescribed to adults and children (aged 12 years and above)
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is to be ingested under doctor’s advisement
Description
About
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S belongs to a class of drugs called “anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatics” (phenylacetic acid) used to treat pain, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and acute musculoskeletal injuries. As it’s a pain relieving medicine, it is commonly used in back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, sprains and spasms.
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is classified as a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that prevents pain and inflammation (redness and swelling) by blocking the release of chemical messengers responsible for it. It relieves pain in conditions like headache, mild migraine, muscle pain, dental pain, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, or painful menses.
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is available on prescription, as tablets, capsules and suppositories. It can also be administered as eye drops and injection which is done in an hospital only. Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S gel and plasters used for joint pain can be bought directly from pharmacies.
Common side effects of this medication are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache, wind or loss of appetite, dizziness, headaches and mild rash.Dosage of Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S depends on age, severity of condition, patient’s response to medicine and their comorbidities. In children it is also based on their weight.
Indications
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is prescribed to adults and children above 6 months of age.
It is used in the treatment of:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disorder characterized by joint pain and damage)
- Osteoarthrosis (degenerative joint disorder)
- Ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of spine causing pain and stiffness)
- Musculo-skeletal disorders (related to joints and muscles)
- Acute gout (joint pain due to uric acid accumulation)
- Juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) (long-term joint inflammation in children).
How does Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S work?
It is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that prevents pain and inflammation (redness and swelling) by blocking the release of chemical messengers responsible for it. It relieves pain in conditions like headache, mild migraine, muscle pain, dental pain, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, or painful menses.
How to use Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is available in the following forms:
Tablets and capsules:
- Swallowed whole with a glass of water, juice or milk. Do not chew or break them.
- Make sure to take them after a meal or snack to avoid getting an upset stomach.
Suppositories:
- A medicine gently pushed into your back passage (anus)
- Go to the toilet if you need to.
- Wash your hands before and after using the medicine and make sure to clean around the area of the back passage with soap and water, rinse and pat dry.
- Unwrap the suppository.
- Gently push the suppository into your back passage (anus) with the pointed end going in first. Make sure it goes in by about 3 centimetres (1inch).
- Sit or lie down for about 15 minutes.
- The suppository will melt inside which is completely normal.
Gel:
- Use it 2-4 times a day depending on what your doctor prescribes is best for you.
- If you’re using it twice a day use it once in the morning and once in the evening. Whereas if you are using it 3-4 times a day give a gap of at least 4 hours in between subsequent applications.
- Do not use the gel more than 4 times a day.
- Amount of gel that needs to be used depends on the size of the affected area
- To get a small amount of gel either gently squeeze it out or press firmly and evenly on the nozzle.
- Apply the gel on the affected (swollen and painful) area and slowly rub it into the skin. It might feel cool after applying.
- Wash your hands afterwards
Plasters and patches:
- Stick the medicated plaster or patch over the painful area twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Apply gentle pressure with the palm of your hand until it’s completely stuck to your skin.
- Treat 1 painful area at a time.
- Do not use more than 2 medicated plasters in a day
- While taking it off, moisten it with some water first to make it easier to remove.
- Once you have taken it off, wash the affected skin area with soap and water and rub it gently in circular movements to remove any leftover glue.
Dosage
- The standard dose is 75mg to 150mg a day. How many tablets to take, and how many times a day depends on what your doctor feels is best for you.
- For children, dosage depends on their weight.
- If you have constant pain, your doctor may recommend slow-release tablets or capsules usually taken either once a day in the evening, or twice a day.
- If you’re taking slow-release tablets twice a day, give a gap of 10 to 12 hours between your doses.
Adults:
- Oral: 75-150 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses.
- Suppositories: 75-150 mg rectally daily in divided doses.
Children:
- Not recommended for children under 1 yr; suppositories not recommended for children under 6 yr except for children over 1 yr for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
- Inflammation and mild to moderate pain: Oral or rectal: 6 mth-18 yr, 0.3-1 mg/kg (max 50 mg) 3 times daily.
- Post-operative pain: Rectal: 6 mth-18 yr, body-weight 8-12 kg, 12.5 mg twice daily for max 4 days; body-weight over 12 kg, 1 mg/kg (max 50 mg) 3 times daily for max 4 days.
- Pain and inflammation in rheumatic disease including juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Oral: 6 mth-18 yr, 1.5-2.5 mg/kg (max 75 mg) twice daily; total daily dose may alternatively be given in 3 divided doses.
Pregnancy use and lactation
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor before using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S as it is contraindicated.
If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S as it is contraindicated.
Contraindications
Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S:
- Allergic reaction to Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S – indicated by skin rash, swelling around face area, wheezing, chest tightness and breathing difficulty
- Active peptic ulcer (stomach sores)
- Aspirin/anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) induced allergy or asthma
- Proctitis (inflamed rectum or anus)
- Severe hepatic or renal impairment (liver or kidney damage)
- Ischaemic heart disease (recurring chest pain)
- Cerebrovascular (blood vessels within the brain) disease
- Peripheral arterial disease (narrowed arteries outside the brain and heart)
- Congestive heart failure
Precautions
Please tell your doctor about any of the following conditions while using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S:
- History of gastro-intestinal (stomach and bowels) disease such as crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Renal (kidney), hepatic (liver) or cardiac (heart) insufficiency and haematological (blood-related) abnormalities
- Porphyria (group of rare inherited blood disorders)
- Patient with extracellular volume depletion from any cause
- Old age
- Cardiovascular (blood vessels in heart) disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Coagulation defects (blood-clotting defects)
- SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) – autoimmune disease causing inflammation in various healthy tissues, and connective tissue disorders.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Interaction with other medications
Certain medications could interact with Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S, hence, in that case your doctor might alter your dosage and make sure to monitor blood sugar levels more closely.
Please inform your doctor about the use of the following before taking Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S:
- Anticoagulants
- Antidiabetics
- Diuretics
- Methotrexate
- Lithium
- Digoxin
- Cyclosporin
- Tacrolimus
- Other NSAIDs
- Salicylates
- Corticosteroids
- Quinolones
- Mifepristone
- Antihypertensives
- Antiplatelets
- SSRIs
- Phenytoin
- Colestipol
- Cholestyramine
- Zidovudine
- Trimethoprim
- Sulfinpyrazone
- Voriconazole and other potent CYP2C9 inhibitors..
Adverse effects
Like most medicines, Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S has some side effects which include:
Common:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion (stomach ache)
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Mild rash
Side effects with diclofenac gel or plasters are less common because the amount of medicine that enters the body is minute. However, it may result in the same side effects if a lot of Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is used on a large area of skin. It may vause:
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Rash where the gel or plaster is applied
- Eczema (dry/irritated skin)
- Dermatitis (itchy/inflamed skin)
Serious:
- Hypersensitivity/allergic skin reactions; in this case discontinue
- Transient epigastric pain (discomfort right below ribs in the area of upper abdomen)
- Bloody vomit or black stool may indicate bleeding in your stomach or gut
- Raised, itchy rash, or swollen or puffy skin – these can be signs of hives (urticaria) or edema (swelling)
- Rarely blood dyshematopoiesis (blood disorder)
- Peptic ulcer (stomach sores)
- Abnormalities of liver and kidney function
- Pain at injection site.
- Tongue or tooth discolouration
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Transient CNS effects
- Hepatic (liver) dysfunction indicated by yellowing of skin and the whites of the eyes.
- Reversible hearing loss
- Rarely, pseudomembranous colitis (inflamed large intestine)
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- Leukopenia (reduced white blood cells)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels)
- Renal (kidney) dysfunction
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas) – indicated by signs of severe stomach or back pain
- QT prolongation (electrical disturbances in heart)
- Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Dysgeusia (distorted sense of taste)
- Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea.
- Weakness on one side of your body, trouble speaking or thinking, loss of balance or blurred eyesight – these can be signs of a stroke
How to cope with some of the adverse effects
- Nausea (feeling sick) – Take Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S with meals to avoid feeling sick.
- Vomiting/Diarrhoea – Keep yourself hydrated by having lots of fluids and if the problem persists, consult your doctor before taking any medication for vomiting and diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite – Continue having your meals at times that you would usually have them. If it helps, decrease the portion of your meals and have them more frequently. Snack on high protein food items like fruits and nuts.
- Indigestion – Avoid food items that cause wind. Try having smaller and more frequent meals.
- Headache – Take a painkiller, rest and keep yourself hydrated at all times. Contact your doctor if your headaches last more than a week and/or become severe.
- Dizziness – Try and rest until you feel better and refrain from driving or using any tools or machinery
- Mild rash – Use a cream or ointment to moisturise, soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it doesn’t get better in a week contact your doctor.
- Sensitivity to sunlight – Avoid sun exposure and use a sun cream (SPF 15 or above) whenever you get out.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects.
Key facts about Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S belongs to a class of drugs called “anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatics” (phenylacetic acid) used to treat pain, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and acute musculoskeletal injuries. As it’s a pain relieving medicine, it is commonly used in back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, sprains and spasms.
- This non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is used to prevent pain and inflammation (redness and swelling) by blocking the release of chemical messengers responsible for it.
- It is prescribed to adults and children above 6 months of age.
- Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S should be taken with food or milk to prevent upset stomach
- It is available as tablets/capsules, suppositories, gel, plaster and patches.
- Common side effects of this medication are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache, wind or loss of appetite, dizziness, headaches and mild rash.
- It may cause excessive drowsiness and increase your risk of stomach problems if you consume alcohol while taking Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S.
- Matter of concern arises if you get a rash, itchy skin, swelling on the face and difficulty breathing, in which case you need to inform your doctor immediately.
- Long term use may lead to blood, kidney and liver problems hence your doctor will be regularly monitoring your organ functions.
FAQs
1. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S DO?
It is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that prevents pain and inflammation (redness and swelling) by blocking the release of chemical messengers responsible for it. It relieves pain in conditions like headache, mild migraine, muscle pain, dental pain, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, or painful menses.
2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S TO START WORKING?
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S in the form of tablets and capsules takes 20-30 minutes to work, as suppositories it takes a few hours to work and when used as gel it takes 1-2 days to work.
3. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S FOR?
The duration for using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S depends on the condition it is prescribed for. If it’s for a toothache or sore back you will only have to take it for a short while but if it’s for something like rheumatoid arthritis you might have to take it for a longer period of time
4. CAN I STOP TAKING Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
Do not just stop taking the medicine, make sure to complete your treatment course even if you feel better.
5. CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WITH Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
Avoid consuming alcohol when taking Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S to prevent drowsiness and risk of stomach problems.
6. WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
If you have taken too much of the prescribed Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S you may experience common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache, headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and black stool or bloody vomit – a sign of bleeding in the stomach; in which case inform your doctor immediately.
7. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
Incase you miss a dose, take your next dose on time and do not try making up for the missed dose by doubling it up. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm so you do not miss any dose. Make sure to complete your course of treatment even if you feel better and think you do not need to take it anymore.
8. CAN I TAKE Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING?
Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S should not be taken in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may harm the baby. It can also lead to premature delivery. Hence, it is advised to avoid using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S during the first 6 months of pregnancy. In some patients, it might be prescribed in pregnant women only if the benefits outweigh the risks involved with its use. Consult your doctor before using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S in any case.
9. CAN THE USE OF Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S CAUSE DROWSINESS?
It may cause drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue (tiredness) and visual disturbances. However, it is uncommon and is not reported by many people. If you experience any of these symptoms avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
10. IS Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S ADDICTIVE?
It is not addictive but should only be taken as prescribed.
11. IS IT SAFE TO USE Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S FOR A LONG TIME?
Long term use may lead to blood, kidney and liver problems hence your doctor will be regularly monitoring your organ functions. There’s also a small risk of heart failure or kidney failure in people taking very big doses (150mg a day) for a long time. Therefore, it’s better to take the lowest dose the shortest possible time.
12. IS Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S SAFE FOR KIDNEYS?
Long-term use and high doses of Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S have shown to cause kidney problems such as protein or blood in urine and painful urination. Patients who are dehydrated, have heart failure, impaired kidney function, hypertension, elderly, who are on medicines which cause excess urination (diuretics), or medicines which have significant impact on kidney function are at maximum risk.. Hence, for such patients regular kidney function monitoring is recommended.
13. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
It is important to know that use of Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S may increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. The risk increases with higher doses taken for a long period of time. Also, taking Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S may cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in your stomach and intestine. If you experience any such problems, consult your doctor immediately.
14. CAN I DRIVE OR RIDE A BIKE AFTER TAKING Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?
Make sure you know how your body reacts while using Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S as it is known to make you feel dizzy. Do not drive or use any machinery until you feel normal again
15. HOW SHOULD Orthofenac 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S BE STORED?
Keep the medicine at room temperature in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Do not keep it in the refrigerator or bathroom. Discard any unused medicine after 14 days. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Additional information
Type | Tablet |
---|---|
Feature | 50mg |
Unit | 'S |
Formula | Diclofenac Sodium |
Composition | Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg |
Brand | Bosch Pharma |
Prescription Required | No |