FDA strengthens warning that NSAIDs increase heart attack and stroke risk
Back in 2005, the FDA warned that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen increased the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Last week it took the unusual step of further strengthening this warning. This was done on the advice of an expert panel that reviewed new information about NSAIDs and their risks. Because NSAIDs are widely used, it’s important to be aware of downsides of taking an NSAID and to take steps to limit the risk. Many people take NSAIDs to relieve mild to moderate pain. These medications may be particularly effective in conditions in which pain results pri...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - July 13, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Gregory Curfman, MD Tags: Heart Health heart attack heart disease NSAIDS Stroke Source Type: news

FDA strengthens warning on prescription anti-inflammatory medications
A decade's worth of research on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs,  has prompted the Food and Drug Administration to demand stiffer warnings on the labels of such prescription medications as celecoxib (marketed commercially as Celebrex) and diclofenac (Voltaren) about the increased... (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - July 9, 2015 Category: Science Authors: Melissa Healy Source Type: news

G&C Natural Nutrition, Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Pyrola Due to Undeclared Drug Ingredients
G&C Natural Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots of Pyrola, 430mg/capsule. Advanced Joint Formula capsules may contain undeclared diclofenac and chlorpheniramine. (Source: NCCAM Featured Content)
Source: NCCAM Featured Content - June 16, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: NCCAM Source Type: news

Are back pain drugs like Naproxen and diclofenac making you INFERTILE?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also include ibuprofen and aspirin, could be studied as possible contraceptives in light of the findings, University of Baghdad researchers said. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - June 15, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Are back pain drugs making you INFERTILE? Naproxen and diclofenac 'significantly inhibit ovulation in just 10 days', scientists warn
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also include ibuprofen and aspirin, could be studied as possible contraceptives in light of the findings, University of Baghdad researchers said. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - June 15, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

G&C Natural Nutrition, Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Pyrola Due to Undeclared Drug Ingredients
G&C Natural Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots of Pyrola, 430mg/capsule. Advanced Joint Formula capsules may contain undeclared diclofenac and chlorpheniramine. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)
Source: Food and Drug Administration - June 13, 2015 Category: Food Science Source Type: news

Paracetamol 'not effective' for lower back pain or arthritis
Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests paracetamol may not be effective for some people with lower back pain and of limited help to people with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Strengths of the study include: the systematic review only contained the "gold standard" type of trials – RCTs existing published RCTs comparing paracetamol with a placebo were likely to have been identified, as a large number of databases were searched from the beginning of their records up to December 2014. There were also two independent reviewers, which reduces the risk of any slipping through the n...
Source: NHS News Feed - April 1, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Source Type: news

Common Pain Drugs Linked To More Problems After A Heart Attack
The cardiovascular safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and diclofenac has been the subject of considerable uncertainty and controversy. Now a new study published in JAMA raises specific concerns about the safety of these drugs in the highly vulnerable population of people who have had a recent heart attack. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - February 24, 2015 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Larry Husten Source Type: news

Widely-used painkiller now only available on prescription after being linked to heart problems
Millions of people take the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac for a range of conditions including arthritis, headaches, back pain and gout. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - January 15, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Diclofenac tablets now only available with script, says MHRA
Diclofenac tablets, used to treat pain and inflammation, will no longer be available to patients without a prescription due to the small risk of heart problems. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)
Source: Nursing Times Breaking News - January 14, 2015 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

RPS responds to reclassification of diclofenac
The MHRA today announced it will reclassify the anti-inflammatory oral medicine diclofenac from a Pharmacy medicine to a Prescription-Only Medicine from 15th January 2015. This means diclofenac tablets will now only be avai (Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society News)
Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society News - January 14, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Dyloject (Diclofenac Sodium for Injection) - updated on RxList
(Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - January 8, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

FDA Okays Diclofenac Injection (Dyloject) for Pain FDA Okays Diclofenac Injection (Dyloject) for Pain
The injectable version of diclofenac is indicated for management of mild to moderate pain, and for moderate to severe pain alone and in combination with opioids. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Neurology and Neurosurgery Headlines)
Source: Medscape Neurology and Neurosurgery Headlines - December 30, 2014 Category: Neurology Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Alert Source Type: news

EU under pressure to ban diclofenac to protect Europe's vultures
Veterinary drug for cattle that led to collapse of vulture populations of Asia is a risk to 55,000 birds, says European Medicines Agency Pressure is mounting on Europe to immediately ban a drug used by vets which has been linked to the poisoning of vultures and other birds which feed on the corpses of cows treated with it.The use of veterinary diclofenac, a pain-killing anti-inflammatory medecine given to livestock led to the unintentional but almost complete collapse of many vulture populations in Asia in 1990s and early 2000s. But a loophole in Europe allows it to be legally used in Spain and Italy where nearly all Europ...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - December 15, 2014 Category: Science Authors: John Vidal Tags: Birds Wildlife Drugs Science Environment Conservation Animals World news Europe Spain Italy Cattle Veterinary medicine Source Type: news

Drugs in the environment affect plant growth
By assessing the impacts of a range of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, research has shown that the growth of edible crops can be affected by these chemicals -- even at the very low concentrations found in the environment. The research focused its analysis on lettuce and radish plants and tested the effects of several commonly prescribed drugs, including diclofenac and ibuprofen. These drugs are among the most common and widely used group of pharmaceuticals, with more than 30 million prescribed across the world every day. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - December 5, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news