Dimra

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Dimra

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Dimra

Property Description
Active Ingredients Diclofenac, Methocarbamol
Form Oral Tablet (typically film-coated)
Pharmacological Class NSAID and Centrally-acting Skeletal Muscle Relaxant
Common Use Relief of pain and muscle spasm
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Dimra and What is it Made Of?

Dimra is a synthetic, combination pharmaceutical preparation classified as a dual-action agent, integrating an anti-inflammatory drug with a muscle relaxant. It contains two distinct active ingredients: Diclofenac, which belongs to the class of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and Methocarbamol, a Centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant (SMR). The preparation is typically administered as an oral tablet. This specific blend is frequently found in international markets, with widely recognized counterparts, such as Robid-D, sharing the same Diclofenac/Methocarbamol composition.


Understanding the Dual-Action Composition

The composition combines Diclofenac for its anti-inflammatory effects and Methocarbamol for its properties related to muscle relaxation. Diclofenac functions primarily as an analgesic by inhibiting the creation of prostaglandins, which are responsible for pain and inflammation in the body. Its anti-inflammatory efficacy is clinically recognized for reducing swelling and tenderness. Conversely, Methocarbamol exerts its effect via the central nervous system, specifically the spinal cord, to reduce the excessive nerve impulses that cause restrictive and painful muscle spasm. This SMR component targets the involuntary tightening of muscles, helping to ease stiffness and mobility constraints, particularly in acute, painful conditions.


What is the General Purpose of Dimra?

The general purpose of Dimra is to manage the acute discomfort and restricted movement associated with musculoskeletal injuries where both pain and muscle spasm are present. This preparation is typically utilized in scenarios such as acute low back pain or muscle strain following exercise. By addressing both the underlying inflammation and the subsequent muscle rigidity, the preparation aims to interrupt the cycle where pain exacerbates spasm. The combined action provides a unified method for easing musculoskeletal pain and alleviating muscle tension, thereby supporting more comfortable function during recovery.

Regulatory References

  1. Diclofenac: MedlinePlus Drug Information

What side effects are possible with Dimra?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The official safety profile for Dimra, a combination of Diclofenac (NSAID) and Methocarbamol (muscle relaxant), integrates risks associated with both active ingredients, as documented in regulatory sources like the FDA and EMA SmPC equivalents. All adverse events and safety classifications are derived from official regulatory labeling.


Common Adverse Reactions and Affected Systems

Adverse reactions that are frequently reported, typically classified as Common (occurring in 1/100 to < 1/10 individuals), generally involve the Nervous System and Gastrointestinal System.

  • Nervous System: Common effects of the muscle relaxant component include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache.
  • Gastrointestinal System: The NSAID component is associated with common reactions such as nausea, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain.

Serious Adverse Reaction Warnings

Regulatory documents mandate warnings regarding several serious and potentially fatal adverse reactions associated with the Diclofenac component. These risks can occur at any time during treatment and may increase with the duration of use, as explicitly stated in the label.

  • Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events: Increased risk of serious events, including Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) and Stroke.
  • Gastrointestinal Adverse Events: Risk of severe bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines.
  • Hepatotoxicity: Documented risk of severe liver injury and liver failure.

Population-Specific Safety Constraints

The label defines specific limitations for certain groups. Older adults are at a greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events and increased sensitivity to the muscle relaxant's effects. Use is contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy due to the risk of fetal toxicity. Severe hepatic or renal impairment and a history of allergic reactions to other NSAIDs are also listed as official contraindications.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory profile for Dimra (Diclofenac/Methocarbamol) details specific overdose manifestations and mandates required emergency actions. Overdosage is typically characterized as an exaggeration of known adverse effects and can involve both the nervous and organ systems.

Documented Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

Classification Official Regulatory Statement
Documented Presentations Somnolence, drowsiness, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and tinnitus are documented manifestations.
Life-Threatening Outcomes Severe overdosage may lead to seizures (convulsions), profound CNS depression progressing to coma, marked hypotension, acute renal failure, and hepatic toxicity.

Mandated Emergency Actions

The official labeling requires individuals to seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose. Contact emergency services immediately, as severe complications may be life-threatening. Due to the combined ingredients, no specific antidote is known. Management is restricted to symptomatic and supportive treatment and mandated hospital monitoring to manage vital functions and detect signs of organ toxicity.

Increased risk or severity may apply to patients with pre-existing hepatic impairment or renal impairment.

Therapeutic Uses of Dimra

What Dimra Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Dimra is utilized to assist in managing muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. It is a component of a complete therapeutic plan, which usually involves rest and physical therapy. The therapeutic domain is restricted to the short-term management of sudden-onset, uncomfortable muscle issues, such as those related to sprains or strains.

The medicine is designed to provide relief of discomfort by addressing the specific symptoms associated with the muscle spasm: pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion. By mitigating these uncomfortable symptoms, the medication supports the patient’s ability to participate in other necessary recovery measures.

This medication is indicated for use as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.


Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Muscle Spasm and Associated Discomfort

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Dimra — Official Regulatory Information

Official regulatory documentation defines the specific patient populations permitted to use Dimra (Diclofenac/Methocarbamol) and those who are formally prohibited or restricted.


Eligibility Scope

Classification Population Status Specific Rules
Contraindicated Must Not Use Known hypersensitivity to either component; active gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding, or perforation; established severe heart failure or cerebrovascular disease; post-CABG surgery; severe hepatic or renal failure; and the last trimester of pregnancy (due to NSAID component) [Source 1.2, 2.2].
Not Recommended Use Avoided Children younger than 16 years of age (use not established); women who are breastfeeding [Source 1.1, 1.3, 3.2].
Use with Caution Restricted Use Older adults (requires lowest dose); patients with a history of GI toxicity or mild-to-moderate organ impairment; patients with pre-existing asthma or certain connective tissue disorders [Source 2.2, 4.1].

Official Eligibility Statements

  • Dimra is formally approved for use in adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older who do not have documented contraindications [Source 1.1, 1.3].
  • The use is contraindicated if the patient has a history of allergic-type reactions (such as asthma or angioedema) to aspirin or other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) [Source 1.2, 2.2].
  • Severe hepatic failure and severe renal failure are listed as absolute contraindications in official documentation [Source 2.2].

Connection to the overall eligibility profile

Regulatory documents explicitly define who can and cannot use Dimra by establishing clear boundaries based on the combined risks of its NSAID and muscle relaxant components. These official rules state that use is permitted only for adults and adolescents 16 and older who do not have specific, severe pre-existing conditions like active GI disease or established heart failure. The profile uses formal regulatory language such as "contraindicated" and "not recommended" to categorize populations who must be excluded versus those for whom safety has not been established.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

This section outlines officially documented interaction patterns for Dimra (Diclofenac/Methocarbamol) as described in government regulatory documents.

Contraindicated Combinations and Restrictions

Dimra is formally restricted in specific clinical contexts. It is contraindicated for use in the peri-operative setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Additionally, the Diclofenac component prohibits co-administration with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, in patients with a history of NSAID-related allergic reactions such as asthma or urticaria.

Interactions Altering Drug Exposure

The co-administration of certain medicines may modify plasma concentrations. Regulatory documents indicate that Voriconazole increases the plasma exposure of Diclofenac. Furthermore, Diclofenac may cause an increase in the serum concentration of other medicines, specifically Digoxin, Lithium, and Methotrexate.

Pharmacodynamic Risk Reinforcement

Concurrent use of this product with other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, including opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, carries the official risk of additive CNS depression. The Diclofenac component increases the risk of serious gastrointestinal events when taken with alcohol or other NSAIDs. Co-administration with drugs that interfere with hemostasis, such as warfarin or SSRIs, increases the risk of bleeding. The Diclofenac component may also reduce the antihypertensive and natriuretic effects of ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, and Diuretics. This interaction carries a heightened risk of renal function deterioration in the elderly or volume-depleted patients. Lastly, Methocarbamol may inhibit the effect of pyridostigmine bromide.

Mechanism of Action

Modulation of Peripheral Inflammatory Pathways

The mechanism involves Diclofenac, which performs non-selective inhibition of the Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in peripheral tissues. By blocking these enzymes, inhibition limits the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, which function as lipid mediators that sensitize peripheral pain receptors and modulate inflammatory activity. This mechanistic domain operates to modulate the chemical signals influencing nociceptive input.


Central Attenuation of Motor Reflex Activity

The second component, Methocarbamol, exerts its effects within the Central Nervous System (CNS) by modulating excessive motor output. It acts as a depressant on the polysynaptic reflexes within the spinal cord, reducing the transmission of hyperactive nerve impulses responsible for skeletal muscle hypertonicity. This mechanism is relevant for the targeted adjustment of pathways influencing muscle tone.


Pharmacodynamic Synergy to Modulate the Nociception-Hypertonicity Cycle

The combination utilizes two distinct, complementary mechanisms to modulate components of the physiological cycle involving nociception and motor reflexes. Diclofenac modulates peripheral nociceptive input (via inflammation pathways), while Methocarbamol modulates central efferent motor output (via spinal reflexes). This synergy results in simultaneous modulation of both inflammatory mediator activity and spinal reflex excitability.

Dosage and Administration Information

Instruction Map: How to use Dimra — Administration Guidelines


Administration Scope

Instruction Detail
Route of administration Oral (by mouth)
Dosing schedule One tablet of the 50 mg Diclofenac / 500 mg Methocarbamol fixed combination, taken up to three times per day. The Diclofenac component maximum is constrained to 150 mg daily for pain relief.
Timing in relation to meals (if applicable) Must be taken with food or milk, or immediately after meals, and with a sufficient amount of water.
Preparation requirements (if applicable) The tablet must be swallowed whole with water; it should not be crushed or chewed if it is a film-coated or modified-release formulation.
Age-group administration rules Older Adults: The lowest effective dose should be used, with half the maximum dose or less often deemed sufficient. Hepatic Impairment: Dosing interval may require adjustment due to reduced clearance.
Missed-dose rules If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule (do not take double the dose).
Special procedural conditions The total duration of therapy should be limited to the shortest time necessary, typically not exceeding 30 days.

Instruction Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Detail
Administration method type Oral (Tablet)
Frequency pattern Daily, in three divided doses (t.i.d.)
Use-context constraints Must be used for the shortest duration possible, and administered concurrently with food.

Resulting Procedural Structure

This procedural structure establishes a standardized and time-constrained protocol for administering the oral fixed-dose combination. The standard approach involves a fixed three-times-daily (t.i.d.) frequency, which imposes a maximum daily intake of 150 mg for the Diclofenac component. Administration is strictly tied to food intake and should be managed with adequate water to mitigate potential gastrointestinal effects. Treatment is generally limited to a short course, consistent with the use of the skeletal muscle relaxant component. Established guidelines suggest using the lowest effective dose for older adults and considering a longer dosing interval for individuals with hepatic impairment.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Dimra (Diclofenac/Methocarbamol)

Research Evidence for Acute Musculoskeletal Pain and Spasm

Dimra was evaluated in research exploring its role as an adjunct to treatment for conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, such as muscle spasm and the associated pain often seen in acute musculoskeletal problems like low back strain. The research exploring how symptoms change over time often involves short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These studies were designed to compare the medicine against a placebo (an inactive substance) or other active treatments to see data show patterns related to how symptoms evolved in the observed populations during a specific, defined time period.

In these trials, researchers focused on outcomes related to physical discomfort and function. They applied in studies examining patient-reported experiences regarding changes in pain intensity using standardized scales. Additionally, studies monitored outcomes related to physical discomfort, reflecting daily functioning or activity level, using specialized questionnaires to track how studies monitored patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort and function in the study populations.


Data on Treatment Duration and Long-Term Outcomes

The studies conducted during periods of increased symptom activity typically have follow-up durations were limited. Most of the evidence related to the medicine's evaluation was observed in trials lasting only 3 to 10 days—the duration commonly associated with the acute phase of a muscle strain. This means the research provides context but not individual predictions about sustained or lasting effects.

As a result of this focus on the acute stage, long-term effects are not fully established. There is limited information for long-term outcomes that look at whether the medicine's use during the initial acute phase affects outcomes capturing phases of heightened symptom activity months or years later. The available research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly over an extended timeframe, and data for outcomes beyond the initial week of treatment are still emerging.


Key Limitations and Remaining Research Gaps

One recognized limitation is that the comparative evidence is lacking for the specific Diclofenac/Methocarbamol combination versus just the NSAID component (Diclofenac) alone. Additionally, the evidence quality varies across studies, as some older trials involving muscle relaxants may have methodological issues that impact the overall certainty of the findings. The main challenge for the broader evidence landscape is the lack of information extending beyond the immediate problem. The follow-up durations were limited, and evidence focusing on long-term effects are not fully established.

Key Studies & References

  1. Effect of Methocarbamol on acute low back pain: A systematic review
  2. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NICE guideline NG59)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Dimra (FAQ)


Q: Can I take Dimra if I have liver disease?

According to official product information, Dimra is contraindicated (should not be used) in patients with severe hepatic impairment (severe liver disease). Caution is also advised when a patient has moderate liver impairment. Regulatory guidelines indicate that liver function assessment is required prior to prescribing.


Q: Does Dimra interact with common painkillers?

Regulatory documents state that there is a potential increased risk of bleeding if Dimra is combined with certain common painkillers, specifically Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Patients are generally advised to disclose all current medications to their healthcare provider for interaction screening.


Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of Dimra?

Detailed instructions for handling a forgotten or missed dose of Dimra are highly specific and are fully detailed in the dedicated 'How to use Dimra' section of the official product information. For accurate guidance, this instruction must be strictly followed.


Q: Is Dimra safe for children under 12?

Official information indicates that Dimra is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age. This is due to a lack of sufficient safety and effectiveness data regarding the medicine in this pediatric age group. The decision to use this medicine is made by a prescribing healthcare professional based on individual patient circumstances.


Q: Does Dimra cause dry mouth?

Regulatory documents based on clinical studies list dry mouth as a common side effect of Dimra. This is a known occurrence when taking the medicine. If any side effect, including dry mouth, becomes severe or concerning, consultation with a healthcare professional is generally appropriate.


Q: How long does it take for Dimra to start working?

Studies and official information indicate that the onset of action (the time it takes for the medicine to begin working) for Dimra is typically observed within a range of 3 to 5 days after the first dose is taken. This duration may vary slightly between individuals.


Q: Can I drink alcohol while using Dimra?

According to the official product information, the concomitant use (taking together) of Dimra with alcohol is not generally recommended. Combining the two may potentially increase CNS depression (slowing down of brain activity) and cause increased sedation or drowsiness.

How should Dimra be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Environmental Requirements

Dimra tablets must be stored at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F), according to regulatory specifications for its active components. The medication must be actively protected from both excessive heat and moisture to maintain product integrity and stability. It should be kept in the original container and the cap must remain tightly closed at all times.

Child Safety and Disposal

As a mandatory safety requirement, Dimra must be stored strictly out of the sight and reach of children, often suggesting a secure, inaccessible location. When disposing of unused or expired medicine, it is regulatory guidance not to flush the tablets down a toilet or pour them into a drain. Disposal should follow the instructions provided by a pharmacist or a local medicine take-back or waste disposal program.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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