Dichlofenac potassium is the potassium salt of dichlofenac. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that can be used to reduce inflammation and as an analgesic to reduce pain in certain conditions. It can also used to treat dysmenorrhea. It can treat inflammatory disorders such as musculoskeletal complaints, dental pain, arthritis, actinic keratosis, joint pain, acute pain and chronic pain caused by certain kinds of cancers. Traditional opinion proposes that diclofenac exerts its action via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with relative equipotency. However, recent studies have shown that the pharmacologic activity of diclofenac goes beyond COX inhibition, and includes multimodal and, in some instances, novel mechanisms of action (MOA). For example, research suggests diclofenac can inhibit the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor, affect arachidonic acid release and uptake, inhibit lipoxygenase enzymes, and activate the nitric oxide–cGMP antinociceptive pathway. Other novel MOAs may include the inhibition of substrate P, inhibition of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), blockage of acid-sensing ion channels, alteration of interleukin-6 production, and inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hyperalgesia.
Brogden, R. N., et al. "Diclofenac sodium: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use in rheumatic diseases and pain of varying origin." Drugs 20.1 (1980): 24-48.
Gan, Tong J. "Diclofenac: an update on its mechanism of action and safety profile." Current medical research and opinion 26.7 (2010): 1715-1731.
Riihiluoma, P., E. Wuolijoki, and M. O. Pulkkinen. "Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with diclofenac sodium." European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 12.3 (1981): 189-194.
White or slightly yellowish, slightly hygroscopic, crystalline powder.
Cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor; analgesic; anti-inflammatory.
ChEBI: The potassium salt of diclofenac.
Diclofenac Potassium Salt is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compound an decycloxygenase (COX) inhibitor.
