How does it work?

Diflunisal belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking the production of a chemical (prostaglandin) which the body produces in response to injury or certain diseases. This prostaglandin would otherwise go on to cause swelling, pain and inflammation. All the medicines in this group reduce inflammation caused by the body's own immune system and are effective pain killers.

What is it used for?

Abdominal pain associated with menstrual periods (dysmenorrhoea)

Inflammation

Inflammation of joints

Muscle pain (myalgia)

Pain

Use with caution in

Asthma

Children

Elderly people

Heart disease

High blood pressure

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Not to be used in

Allergy to aspirin or other medicines in this class

Peptic ulcers

Ulcer caused by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy and only if the benefit to the mother is greater than the risk to the foetus. It should not be used regularly during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Abdominal pain

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Skin rashes

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Ulceration of the stomach or intestine

Bleeding from the stomach

Retention of water in the body tissues (fluid retention), resulting in swelling (oedema)

Blood disorders

Kidney disease

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

Severe flaking of the surface layer of the skin (toxic epidermal necrolysis)

Alteration in results of liver function tests

Narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)

Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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