Ena

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

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 Ena

Property Description
Active Ingredient Aceclofenac
Form Film-coated tablet (Oral)
Pharmacological Class Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Common Use Symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Ena?

Ena is classified as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), a group of synthetic pharmaceutical agents primarily used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The active ingredient, Aceclofenac, is officially categorized under the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code M01AB16, signifying it as an acetic acid derivative within systemic anti-inflammatory products. This classification demonstrates the drug's established use against the body's inflammatory responses, and it is clinically recognized for its efficacy in providing substantial symptomatic relief across various musculoskeletal conditions. Ena functions as a dual-purpose agent, possessing inherent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and is typically available by prescription.

Aceclofenac: The Active Ingredient and Form

The core component of Ena is its single active ingredient, Aceclofenac. This substance is chemically related to the established NSAID, diclofenac. The drug is consistently formulated for oral administration, most commonly presented as a film-coated tablet integrated into a solid oral matrix. Aceclofenac is associated with a distinctive chondroprotective characteristic, which is a unique feature compared to many traditional NSAIDs. This means the medicine has been studied for properties concerning cartilage health alongside its anti-inflammatory effects.

General Purpose and Core Function

The general purpose of Ena is to provide effective symptomatic relief from pain and swelling by directly interfering with the body's inflammatory cascade. The primary mechanism involves the potent inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, which is responsible for generating prostaglandins—the local chemical signals that mediate pain and inflammation. Specifically, Aceclofenac exhibits a preferential inhibitory action toward the COX-2 enzyme. This mechanistic differentiation helps reduce inflammatory messengers, thereby achieving the product's primary goal: delivering both a fundamental analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory effect to affected tissues, which is the general utility of Ena.

What side effects are possible with Ena?

Ena: Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Official regulatory documents categorize the potential risks of Ena (enalapril, an ACE inhibitor) to provide a clear safety profile. Reported adverse reactions are generally grouped by how frequently they occur and the body system they affect (System-Organ Class).

Common and Clinically Significant Adverse Reactions

The most commonly reported side effects typically include cough (often dry and persistent), headache, fatigue, and dizziness. Dizziness is frequently associated with the drug’s potential to cause hypotension (low blood pressure), especially when first starting treatment or increasing the dose.

A common, non-serious adverse reaction is an increase in blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia), which requires monitoring, particularly in individuals with pre-existing kidney impairment or those taking other medications that affect potassium.

Serious Safety Considerations

Serious and clinically significant adverse reactions documented for this class of medicine include angioedema (swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention) and significant renal impairment (kidney function decline). Acute kidney failure has been observed, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney conditions or severe heart failure.

System-Organ Class Involved Examples of Adverse Reactions (by frequency)
Cardiovascular/General Hypotension (low blood pressure), Dizziness, Fatigue
Respiratory Persistent Cough, Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
Gastrointestinal Nausea, Diarrhea, Pancreatitis (rare)

Population-Specific Safety and Restrictions

Ena is generally contraindicated in pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters, due to the risk of fetal injury and death. Caution and dosage adjustments are advised for individuals with impaired kidney or liver function. The risk of severe side effects, such as hypotension or hyperkalemia, may be increased in the elderly (over 65 years of age). Regulatory warnings advise avoiding use in patients with a history of angioedema related to previous ACE inhibitor use.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Ena Overdose and When to Seek Help

Any suspected overdose of Ena (Aceclofenac) requires immediate medical attention and contact with emergency services. Overdose information is documented across several body systems, with the resulting clinical profile requiring urgent supportive care.

Documented Symptoms

Official prescribing information describes that manifestations of significant overdose may include a combination of gastrointestinal and central nervous system (CNS) effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms frequently involve nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and potentially gastrointestinal bleeding. CNS symptoms may present as headache, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, and in severe cases, convulsions or coma. Other serious signs documented in regulatory warnings include hypotension and respiratory depression.

Severe Outcomes and Emergency Management

The official label highlights the potential for severe, life-threatening outcomes such as acute renal failure and liver damage following significant poisoning. Treatment is officially defined as symptomatic and supportive, as no specific antidote is known. Patients who have ingested a potentially toxic amount should be observed for at least four hours. Although not exclusive to the overdose section, regulatory documents emphasize that the elderly are at a higher risk for serious gastrointestinal complications.

Therapeutic Uses of Ena

Ena (Aceclofenac) is commonly used to help with symptomatic relief across several key therapeutic areas where symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states are the primary source of patient distress, and is intended for its approved uses in adults. Its main role generally is to help moderate these distressing symptoms, and it may assist with maintaining functional stability and comfort during active symptomatic phases.


The medication is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, and its use is commonly applied to conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms. These conditions include major inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, as well as acute episodes like lumbago and pain following certain dental procedures. Ena helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as joint stiffness and localized swelling.

“Ena contributes to easing the overall symptom load during periods of heightened symptoms, supporting the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress.”

In clinical scenarios where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed, Ena supports general well-being during symptomatic periods, providing supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities.

Quick Fact: Support for Inflammatory Pain and Stiffness

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Ena: Official Regulatory Information

This section outlines who is eligible to use Ena based on formal regulatory documentation, including groups where use is prohibited or restricted.

Contraindicated Populations (Must NOT use)

Use of Ena is strictly prohibited (contraindicated) for individuals with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to the medicine or its ingredients. Use is also contraindicated in patients who are simultaneously taking specific potent inhibitors of the CYP1A2 enzyme, such as fluvoxamine or ciprofloxacin, due to the risk of dangerous drug interactions.

Restricted and Special Consideration Groups

Population Eligibility Classification Restriction Context
Severe Organ Impairment Not Recommended / Use with Caution Patients with severe hepatic impairment (liver disease) or severe renal impairment (kidney disease) must be closely monitored, and caution is required, as the body's ability to remove the medicine may be significantly reduced.
Pediatric Patients Use Not Established Safety and effectiveness of Ena have not been established in children.
Pregnancy/Lactation Special Consideration Use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding requires a careful evaluation of the potential benefit versus the potential risk.

Eligibility to use Ena is determined by the absence of formal contraindications and the managing of risks in populations requiring special consideration, such as those with organ impairment. Regulatory documents clearly define these populations to ensure patient safety.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with Other Medicines and Products

Official regulatory information for Ena (Aceclofenac), an NSAID, documents several clinically significant interaction patterns, which can be categorized by their effect on exposure or pharmacodynamic risk.


Pharmacodynamic and Exposure Interactions

Prohibited or Restricted Combinations: Co-administration with other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 selective inhibitors, should be formally avoided due to an increased risk of adverse reactions.

Increased Risk of Bleeding: Combining Ena with substances that affect blood clotting or the gastrointestinal lining, such as anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin), antiplatelet agents, Systemic Corticosteroids, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), increases the documented risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration.

Exposure Modification: Ena may increase the plasma concentrations of certain co-administered drugs, including Lithium, Digoxin, and Methotrexate.

Cardiovascular and Renal Effects: Co-administration with ACE-inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists, and Diuretics may lead to a reduced therapeutic effect of these medicines and simultaneously increases the risk of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage).

Non-Medicinal Interactions: The presence of food reduces the rate of absorption of Aceclofenac, though not the total amount absorbed. Regular consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of gastric bleeding.

Population Note: Interactions, particularly those involving gastrointestinal bleeding and renal dysfunction, have an increased frequency and may have more serious consequences in the elderly population.

Mechanism of Action

️ Selective Modulation of Eicosanoid Pathways

Aceclofenac's mechanism involves the preferential inhibition of the Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which is responsible for synthesizing chemical messengers called prostaglandins ( PGE2) at sites of inflammation. By selectively suppressing this enzyme's activity, the drug directly limits the immediate chemical signaling that drives heightened tissue responses. This action results in the reduction of nociceptive fiber sensitization and decreased microvascular permeability.

Modulation of Joint Tissue Factors

Beyond COX pathway inhibition, the mechanism includes the modulation of factors within articular tissue. This is achieved by reducing the expression and action of catabolic cytokines like Interleukin-1 beta ( IL-1beta) within chondrocytes (cartilage cells). This supplemental mechanistic domain is relevant in systems where targeted pathway adjustment is required, specifically by inhibiting catabolic tissue- degrading processes, which modulates activity within the skeletal system pathways.

Dosage and Administration Information

Ena is administered solely via the oral route as a 100 mg film-coated tablet. The standardized regimen for adults specifies a total daily dose of 200 mg, which is typically achieved by taking one 100 mg tablet twice a day—one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening.


Administration Details

For proper physical intake, the film-coated tablet must be swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of liquid and must not be crushed or chewed. The administration should occur preferably with or after food to align with recommended practice regarding drug intake timing.


Dosing Duration and Adjustments

The general principle involves using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms. The need for continued use should be re-evaluated periodically by a healthcare professional.

Specific adjustments to the standard regimen apply to certain populations:

  • Hepatic Impairment: For patients with liver impairment, treatment is indicated to begin with a reduced initial daily dose of 100 mg.
  • Elderly and Renal Impairment: No initial dose modification is generally considered necessary for older adults or those with mild kidney impairment.
  • Pediatric Use: The medicine is not recommended for use in children due to a lack of adequate clinical data to support a defined dose or regimen.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Ena (Aceclofenac)


Evidence for use in Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

The research for Ena was studied for conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, such as Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Research examined how outcomes related to physical discomfort change over defined time intervals in these conditions, primarily through Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). In these trials, Ena was evaluated in studies examining patient-reported experiences, where outcomes were measured using standardized tools like pain scales and functional indices. Studies monitoring these populations data show patterns related to outcomes measured that was observed in some studies to align with patterns documented for comparator agents used in the research.

Evidence from these controlled trials and systematic reviews contributes to understanding symptom patterns over short-term assessment periods, typically lasting only a few weeks up to three months. For RA, research explored whether outcomes related to functional imbalance change, monitoring outcomes such as the number of tender or swollen joints and overall disease activity scores. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies where symptom activity was monitored, and data show patterns related to outcomes measured that was observed in some studies to align with documented patterns for certain other established NSAIDs used in the comparison groups.


Duration of Studies and Long-Term Follow-up Data

The majority of evidence where Ena was observed in research exploring short-term symptom changes is derived from trials where follow-up durations were limited, generally spanning a maximum of three to six months. Controlled, long-term research—such as studies examining the duration of observed patterns or tracking outcomes related to structural changes over many years—is not fully established for Ena. Long-term effects are not fully established and there is limited information for long-term outcomes and the durability of measured effects beyond the short- to intermediate-term observation periods.


What Research Gaps and Uncertainties Remain

Research provides context but not individual predictions, and evidence highlights what is known — and what is still uncertain. Findings were mixed in some comparative trials. Evidence quality varies across studies, and many systematic reviews note that sample sizes were modest in some of the included trials. The evidence base appears to be limited and heterogeneous in certain areas, particularly concerning the long-term status of the medicine's use in chronic joint disease. Research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly.

Key Studies & References

  1. Efficacy and safety of aceclofenac in the treatment of osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind comparative clinical trial versus diclofenac
  2. HPRA Public Assessment Report for Aceclofenac (Generic Application) - Regulatory Document
  3. Osteoarthritis in people over 16: diagnosis and management (NICE guideline NG226) - Clinical Guideline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Ena (FAQ)

Q: Can Ena be taken by people who are already on long-term medication?

A: According to official product information, co-administration with many long-term medicines is restricted in official documents. Combining this medicine with substances like anticoagulants, SSRIs, or diuretics is associated with an increased risk of serious adverse effects such as bleeding or kidney damage.

Q: Is Ena considered a long-term treatment or is it usually short-term?

A: Regulatory guidance specifies that the medicine should be used for the shortest duration possible and at the lowest effective daily dose to control symptoms. The regulatory guidance does not support indefinite use, and the need for continued relief is subject to periodic re-evaluation.

Q: What is the biggest difference between Ena and similar types of medication?

A: Official documents indicate two main distinguishing features. One is a studied chondroprotective characteristic—properties related to cartilage. The other is that it is described in official sources as exhibiting a preferential inhibitory action against the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme.

Q: Can older adults safely use Ena?

A: Regulatory warnings describe that older adults have an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, especially gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration. The use of the medicine in the elderly population requires close medical monitoring.

Q: Are there any known interactions between Ena and common supplements like vitamins?

A: Official warnings for this class of medicine describe potential interactions with certain herbal or dietary supplements. The concurrent use of supplements that affect blood clotting, such as ginkgo or garlic, is associated with an increased risk of bleeding.

Q: What is the typical timeframe for a full course of Ena treatment?

A: The treatment duration is described in regulatory guidance as being dependent on using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary to control symptoms. The official guidance emphasizes that the continued need for this medicine must be periodically re-evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Q: Are there specific food restrictions or dietary considerations while taking Ena?

A: Official instructions advise that the tablets should be taken with or after food. Additionally, official documents note that the regular consumption of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of irritation or bleeding in the stomach.

Q: What kind of monitoring is typically required while taking Ena?

A: Official guidance advises monitoring for patients with pre-existing conditions, particularly involving the kidney or liver. Monitoring includes blood tests to check kidney function and potassium levels (hyperkalemia), alongside periodic re-evaluation of the necessity of the treatment.

Q: Can Ena interact with over-the-counter pain relievers?

A: Yes, co-administration with other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including many over-the-counter pain relievers, is formally avoided according to official regulatory information. Taking multiple NSAIDs together greatly increases the risk of side effects.

Q: What should be done if an allergic reaction is suspected while taking Ena?

A: Official documents state that the medicine is to be discontinued at the first sign of hypersensitivity, such as a skin rash. If signs of a severe allergic reaction occur, such as angioedema (swelling of the face, throat, or tongue), immediate emergency medical attention is required.

Q: How is Ena different from older medications for the same condition?

A: Official sources note that it is associated with a chondroprotective characteristic and its action involves a preferential inhibition of the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, setting it apart from some older drugs in its class.

Q: Do researchers know exactly how Ena produces its intended effect?

A: Official documents detail the primary mechanism as the inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. The regulatory documents also describe that the mechanism includes the modulation of factors within joint tissue like certain inflammatory proteins ( IL-1beta).

Q: How quickly should someone notice the effects of Ena?

A: Pharmacokinetic data from official sources indicate that the concentration of the active ingredient in the blood typically reaches its peak approximately 1.25 to 3.00 hours after the tablet is taken.

Q: Is Ena something that is only prescribed by specialists?

A: The medicine is typically available by prescription and requires the authorization of a licensed healthcare professional. The specific prescriber is dependent on local prescribing rules.

Q: What happens if a dose of Ena is missed?

A: Standard administration guidance describes that if a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is already close to the time of the next scheduled dose, the missed one is generally skipped.

Q: How long do the common side effects of Ena usually last?

A: Official safety information indicates that the risk for adverse reactions, including common side effects, is highest early in the course of therapy.

Q: Does Ena have any warnings related to driving or operating machinery?

A: Official warnings describe the need for caution with activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. This is because the medicine may cause adverse effects like dizziness or fatigue.

Q: Is Ena a newer medication or has it been available for a long time?

A: The market history of the drug can be traced to the date of its first regulatory authorization in specific jurisdictions. For example, in one major market, the first authorization for the active ingredient was issued in September 2011.

Q: Do any official warnings exist for Ena regarding mental health changes?

A: Official documents list central nervous system effects which include confusion as a potential adverse reaction.

Q: Is it true that Ena is sometimes used in combination with other treatments? (Refers to beneficial use)

A: Yes, the drug has been studied and is available in certain markets as a fixed-dose combination product. This means it is packaged together with other analgesic (pain-relieving) agents for the treatment of pain and inflammation.

How should Ena be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Ena

Storage Requirements

Ena (Aceclofenac) tablets must be stored in the original package to ensure stability and must be placed out of the sight and reach of children. The medicine requires environmental protection and must be stored below 25 C to maintain its quality. Storage is also required to protect the product from both light and moisture.

Storage Condition Requirement
Maximum Temperature Below 25 C
Packaging Store in the original package
Protection Protect from light and moisture

Disposal

Due to its classification as toxic to aquatic life, Ena must avoid release to the environment and should not be flushed down the toilet or drain. Unused or expired medicine must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. The preferred method is a drug take-back program. If unavailable, the medicine should be mixed with an unpalatable substance and placed in a sealed container before discarding in the household trash.

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

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