Why is diclofenac prescription only but ibuprofen is OTC?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 17, 2024.
Is there a big difference between them?
Ibuprofen is not as potent as diclofenac and is a safer choice for the general public, hence the decision to restrict the availability of diclofenac. If ibuprofen is ineffective then you should see your doctor for something stronger.
Both diclofenac and ibuprofen are available in various strengths.
In the USA only the lower strength tablet ibuprofen 200mg is available over the counter (OTC), the 400mg and 600mg tablets are prescription medicines.
Diclofenac is only available by prescription in the USA but in some countries a lower dose 25mg tablet is available OTC. A 25mg diclofenac tablet used to be available OTC in the USA but was withdrawn because of safety and efficacy reasons.
Both ibuprofen and diclofenac are in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They work by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Diclofenac is also available OTC in the USA (and in many other countries) as a topical gel under the brand name Voltaren Arthritis Pain (diclofenac sodium topical gel, 1%). The gel is used for the temporary relief of arthritis pain in the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle or knee in adults 18 years and older.
Read next
Naproxen vs ibuprofen: What's the difference?
Ibuprofen is short acting, while naproxen is long acting and more likely to cause an upset stomach. Naproxen also increases the risk of uncontrolled bleeding in people taking blood thinners by 4-fold, and ibuprofen increases the risk 2-fold. Naproxen and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs so they are similar in many ways, but there are important differences. Continue reading
Can you take ibuprofen on an empty stomach?
Despite popular belief that you have to take ibuprofen with food, you can take ibuprofen on an empty stomach and this will give you faster pain relief than taking it with food. Food increases the time it takes for ibuprofen to be absorbed, although it won't affect how much is absorbed. There is actually no evidence that taking ibuprofen with food prevents gastric irritation – ibuprofen at OTC doses has a low incidence of gastric irritation anyway. Continue reading
Can you take expired ibuprofen?
Although taking expired ibuprofen is not recommended by the manufacturer, the actual shelf-life is likely to be longer than that indicated by the expiry date, with FDA testing showing many drugs are active for years beyond their expiry date, although specific data on ibuprofen is not available. Within reason, an ibuprofen tablet that is a few months past its expiry date is probably safe to take. Ibuprofen that is years past its expiry date should not be taken. Continue reading
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