Alternative to Diclomax MR

[Maggsie]

Hi All, I'm after some advice and your personal experiences of NSAIDs or slow release pain killers.

I'm currently taking Diclomax 75mg modified release at night time and have been for quite a few years, it works well to get me up in the mornings but has started giving me side effects, especially with my eyes (very puffy and bloodshot each morning). I was also taking 10mg of Amitriptyline in the evening but stopped a few weeks ago incase this was contributing to the problem.

I'd like to find an alternative that will work through the night and make my mornings easier.

Are there any other NSAIDs that are modified release or any MR painkillers that you know of. I'd like to have some suggestions in my back pocket before I approach my GP.

Thankyou.

[nomoreheels]

I have diclofenac to use only when absolute necessary although it's not modified release. The NSAID I take regularly (each evening for the same reason) is enteric coated etoricoxib (60mg, reduced from 90mg due to potential cardiovascular risk), a COX-2 which hasn't in the many years I've taken it affected my tum. I've tried a few different ones over the years, must be 6 or maybe even 7, including celecoxib, another COX-2, but etoricoxib has been the longest serving. I'm also prescribed amitriptyline (25mg mornings, 50mg evening) without problems.

I think naproxen is available as modified release, with a ppi included, one of the 'prazoles, not sure which.

This might be helpful reading, listing the different NSAIDs bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-s...

Don't know if this is any help for you?

[Maggsie in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks. I'll have a read.

[helixhelix]

I use the enteric coated Etoricoxib too, and find it lasts well. It is a 24 hour dose.

[Maggsie in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks, I'll look into that. I do wonder if the diclomax is affecting me more because I have less inflammation following a steroid injection and my tcz is beginning to work.

[Downtime]

I take Brufen Retard which works quite well. It’s taken in a the form of two tablets 800mg each, once a day. Morning or night. After 6 years I have cut the dose in half as I know it’s very strong and GPs these days have been advised to try to get people off them, but my rheumatologist says it’s ok if I take Omeprazole if my stomach starts to complain .

[Maggsie in reply to Downtime]

Thankyou. I already take lansoprazole daily and dont suffer with my stomach but my eyes are driving me mad. I had a ey test in December and the guy noticed burst blood vessel behind my left eye.

[helixhelix]

They are both opiods! So pain rather than inflammation..

[Maggsie]

Thankfor the reply. I already take tramadol during the day so need something that will last through the night. I take lansoprazole to protect my stomach but am really struggling with my eyes and I know that's one of the signs of an overdose of diclofenac.

[Leics in reply to Maggsie]

Diclofenic left me without peripheral vision amongst other things whilst I was taking it. It’s a rare side effect but don’t ignore it. My eyesight returned to normal when I stopped it.