CAN YOU BUY DICLOFENAC WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION?

indication

When deciding whether to take a drug prescription only or without prescription The indication of the drug plays a decisive role. Medicationthat's just for specially too diagnosing diseases usually require a prescription. The background to this is that laypeople usually cannot decide what type of illness they have and whether or not the corresponding drug is needed at all. So would a Painkiller like diclofenac, that rather than Broad spectrum therapeutic is to be viewed and with a variety of minor illnesses (flu infection, slight pain, cold) is used, do not necessarily need a professional consultation with a doctor, while e.g. Antibiotics already at first the medical diagnostics and the associated consideration of the use necessary power.

dosage

Furthermore, the dosage, in which a certain drug is dispensed, an important one Decision criterion. Usually the drugs are that without prescription be submitted in smaller dosage available, while the same preparations in higher doses require a prescription.

At Diclofenac are all Anointin which the active ingredient is added, without prescription but pharmacy only to obtain. The reason is that the dosage in which diclofenac is added to the ointment or gel relatively low is. As tablet can diclofenac up to a dosage of 25 mg can be bought freely.

Diclofenac by 50 mg or 75 mg are however just with a recipe to get. All suspensions sent by syringe need to be injected only with a prescription to get. Every drug that is taken has, in addition to the desired effect, several side effects, which can become stronger the higher the dose taken. This is one of the main reasons why only low diclofenac are dispensed without a prescription. The effect of the Side effects increase if an intake would be repeated, but that is Risk smaller as if three times the dose were taken with one tablet.

Which tablets are available without a prescription and why is that?

Diclofenac is available in different types of tablets. A distinction is made between coated tablets and gastro-resistant tablets. Coated tablets are usually provided with a cellulose, glucose or shellac, so that the tablets can be taken more easily. In addition, they are odorless and tasteless. Gastric juice-resistant tablets are coated with synthetic polymers, which means that stomach acid can no longer break them down. Only in the intestine does the pH change accordingly and the tablets release their active ingredient.
Diclofenac with 25 mg of active ingredient as a coated tablet can be bought in pharmacies without a prescription, while gastric juice-resistant 25 mg tablets require a prescription. From a dosage of 50 mg diclofenac all types of tablets require a prescription. The reason is the drug prescription ordinance, which stipulates that drugs from a certain amount of active ingredient are only available with a prescription, as the higher the amount of active ingredient, the greater the likelihood of side effects occurring.

Is Diclofenac gel / ointment / cream available without a prescription?

Diclofenac is available as a gel without a prescription. However, due to its chemical properties, it is not produced in the form of ointments or creams. The basis is a swellable substance to which water and the drug are added.
The advantage of a gel is the additional cooling effect that ointments and creams do not have. Diclofenac Gel is also often known as Voltaren® pain gel. It usually contains around 10 mg of diclofenac per gram of gel. Gels with the additional name “forte” contain twice the amount, i.e. around 20 mg diclofenac per gram of gel. That sounds like a very high concentration. However, it should be noted that due to the pronounced barrier function of the skin, only a fraction of the active ingredient is actually absorbed into the body. Since it could lead to a massive overdose, Diclofenac Gel must never be taken orally for this reason.

Read more on the subject at: Diclofenac gel

Side effects

What kind of Side effects Can occur through a drug is also used in the assessment of whether a drug without prescription or prescription only is included.

Serious side effects at already low dosage would be a Prescription free practically exclude, while easy possible Side effects even with medium doses, as with diclofenac, more likely to be one Prescription free would lead. In the case of diclofenac, it can be in the range of medium doses when taken regularly Stomach discomfort, nausea and malaise come. Is already a Gastric ulcer known, there is also a risk of Gastric bleeding. Research has shown that the risk of serious adverse side effects when reaching the diclofenac Maximum daily dose (150 mg) is greatest. This is one of the reasons why diclofenac in the 75 mg dosage is only available with a prescription.