Diclofenac and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2018

Diclofenac for Pain "Voltaren 75 mg for knee inflammation. Stay away! This drug nearly killed me! I am an overall healthy 39-year-old male. Side effects: bloody diarrhea, tarry stool, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, faint, lightheaded, dizzy, racing heart, passed out and fell twice (gastric bleed)! I believe I was on the verge of a heart attack. I cannot believe this drug is still available! No relief whatsoever."

• Cal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have taken this drug for over 3 years. Not daily, but as needed (maybe once or twice a week). I am not able to take narcotics, so my doctor prescribed this for my neck arthritis, back spasms, and a frozen shoulder. This med took away at least 90% of the pain from all of the painful areas. I never had any of the reported side effects like stomach pain or diarrhea (and I have preexisting stomach issues). This is a game-changer for me because it's the only thing that has worked."

• You...
• January 25, 2016

Diclofenac for Pain "The side effects are brutal. Stomach aches, nausea, bloody stools, headache, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, just to name a few. This medicine did give me some relief from pain at the cost of the side effects. Be careful with this medicine, I won't take this med anymore."

• Gou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 29, 2015

For Pain "I was diagnosed with gout at age 25. I tried numerous over-the-counter and homeopathic remedies over the years. This is by far the best for my gout flare-ups. I take 100 mg every three hours until pain subsides. Usually one tablet, sometimes two, but never any more. Going on 10 years now. It's a miracle for my infliction. Only side effect is a little diarrhea sometimes."

• c m...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2016

Diclofenac for Osteoarthritis "Do not take this medication. I got collagenous colitis from taking this medication. It took a couple of months of extreme diarrhea to diagnose this problem. I have to take a steroid now to stop the diarrhea!"

• cin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2019

For Back Pain "Started diclofenac 6 months ago after back surgery. Dr. thought I had sciatica, he was going for a small pain machine for me. PT found out it was my hip. I'm having a hip surgery, was scheduled for 10/14/19. Then my mobility scooter got stuck in reverse, and I went flying backwards down the hill, dumped me in the woodpile, battery flew off and hit me in the back. I was off the diclofenac for the surgery. In the ER room, they put me on pain meds, they were not working, so I went back on the diclofenac. It works very well. I have weight gain, pain in arms at night, and diarrhea, and I sleep more than I used to. But the pain of bone on bone is way more than I can stand. I'm sold on the diclofenac. I plan to go off it after the hip surgery. It has been amazing, nothing else can touch this ugly pain."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2018

For Pain "I've been taking diclofenac for almost 2 years, 75 mg twice a day as needed. My doctor put me on it when I told her ibuprofen was making me nauseous. I have fibromyalgia and generalized panic disorder, severe muscle, nerve, and joint pain. I didn't realize how much this medication helped with my pain until I attempted to stop taking it due to side effects (excessive sweating, loose stools, shortness of breath with any exertion, weight gain, confusion). Unsure if these are all caused by diclofenac or something else since I do have a plethora of issues! I don't want to switch to any other pain med and refuse narcotics. Did not have any side effects for the first year to year and a half. This does work for pain, no doubt."

• Wri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

For Pain "I know this review is long... but it's worth it! I have a double wrist strain and was prescribed diclofenac for the pain and swelling for 10 days, 2x per day. The first and second day were a breeze, my wrists felt fine and everything was starting to look up. Day 3, I started getting moderately nauseous in the afternoon, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. Day 5, I woke up, nauseous as ever. I actually think I am going to die between the stomach gurgles and pain. I couldn't even drive 30 minutes to work without stopping to use the restroom. Let me paint this picture for you, it's 10 am... I woke up at 7 am. I have had diarrhea 7 times already and pooped 5 times yesterday. If you're looking to drop a few lbs quickly, skip the laxative and pick up some of this stuff! I'm not even going to finish the bottle because nothing is worth this pooping (literally)."

• Kee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

For Back Pain "I'm taking this for back pain - it does help some. I take it for back pain consecutively, for three days then as needed. It does have a lot of scary side effects, and I do get dizzy, heart flutter, diarrhea, and stomach problems, but it's the only pill that works best for my pain. I'm scared in the long run to what problems this medication will cause."

• Alb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Pain "I hurt my foot over a year ago, and it was diagnosed as bursitis. I was given naproxen at the time, which seemed to do a decent job, but over the year, like an idiot, I smacked the back of my heel, which brings on weeks of pain. This last stint, I took upwards of 1000 mg of naproxen for a week with no relief. The icing didn't help; elevating it didn't help. Finally, my wife forced me to go to the doctor. The doctor prescribed diclofenac instead. Within 2 days, I was able to start walking normally again with minimal pain. After reading the comments, that does explain the diarrhea, but I'll take it! Worked great for me!"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2018

For Period Pain "I have taken 3 so far since I’ve gotten them yesterday. My periods have been very bad since I got my tubes tied in 2008. The first 3 days are horrible-seriously. But since I’ve taken the diclofenac, my cramps are no longer bad at all. I feel good, but it’s making my period go off. I’m trying to see if it’s supposed to do that. Also, I keep having diarrhea from the medicine, that’s my only problem."

• Spo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2017

For Pain "I was prescribed diclofenac sodium tablets for emergency medicine regarding my chronic paroxysmal hemicrania. It was ineffective at alleviating any pain. I'd feel a small reduction in pain level for about 30 minutes, then it would spike back up. It caused my blood glucose to shoot up, and I am non-diabetic. It also caused me a great deal of stomach cramps, burning pain below the sternum, belching, heartburn, and diarrhea. I had a better response on ibuprofen, and that did very little."

• Bru...
• December 5, 2009

For Pain "This drug is an excellent anti-inflammatory. For me, however, it did nothing for pain. I had recent shoulder surgery for the third time in my life, and this was prescribed for inflammation and pain. As it did decrease the inflammation, the side effects were not worth it. I developed stomach cramps and severe diarrhea."

• str...
• September 20, 2017

For Pain "I have a few problems: posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, pain due to a large uterine fibroid, plus general joint and muscle aches (cause as yet undiagnosed). My doctor put me on diclofenac because of concerns that I was taking too much ibuprofen, but the diclofenac did almost nothing. Once it kicks in, I have mild pain relief for up to three hours max. It doesn't help uterine pain at all. I took it twice a day for weeks, and it never helped. Also had diarrhea and an upset stomach. Ibuprofen was infinitely better than diclofenac."

• Fre...
• April 28, 2020

Diclofenac for Migraine "Have suffered from migraines for the past 10 years. I’m always interested to try new medications. Personally, I found Cambia to be one of the worst. I found little to no relief. The taste is horrid, especially when your taste buds are heightened and extra sensitive. I experienced the worst side effects, which included diarrhea, dizziness, anxiety, and nausea for days."

• CIN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took 4 days to work, scared to take it after I read side effects, after serious nerve pain took it. I read feedback from users reassured me to go forward with the dose, helps sleep, only take 1 a day at 5 pm. 75 mg, lots of pain still with sleep, not the stabbing pain, serious pull-like pain, use ice, weight gain, little diarrhea at first, need surgery, will take till then, better than the Norco and ibuprofen, this works on nerves. 69 yrs old female"

• Jav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2018

For Muscle Pain "It helps a lot with pain, but it kills me more to take it because of the constant diarrhea it gives you. It is completely terrible. And on top of that, when you vomit, it's even worse. Why would a doctor even prescribe these? I don't know, but I can't get through the whole prescription."

• EMo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2021

For Pain "This has been amazing for my TMJ (temporomandibular joint pain). I am a longtime teeth grinder, and a couple of weeks ago went through a very painful phase with TMJ and couldn't even open my mouth without being in severe pain. This takes a few days to fully have a really good effect, but once it does, wow. It's brilliant! Although take it with food, that's all I'll say, the first time I did not and was up all night with severe diarrhea!"

• pin...
• December 10, 2010

Diclofenac for Rheumatoid Arthritis "The doctor prescribed me this medicine to take for a week. It helps to reduce the pain for only a short period of time. The good thing is I don't get any side effects except mild diarrhea."

• Bta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "Relieved pain very good, but upset stomach pretty bad and caused diarrhea and other stomach issues. Had to quit taking it."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2012

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "Gave me pain relief, but also terrible diarrhea."

• cde...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2018

For Spondyloarthritis "Intestinal cramping, severe diarrhea, 2 hours after taking."

• Qui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

For Pain "Severe diarrhea. Side effects outweigh the benefits. I switched to Capzasin cream and got relief within hours and no side effects. I've been using this for 2 weeks. And no pain."