Celofen

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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 Celofen

Property Description
Active ingredient Aceclofenac (International Nonproprietary Name - INN)
Form Oral Solid Dosage (Tablet or Capsule)
Pharmacological class Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Common purpose Systemic relief of pain, inflammation, and fever
Origin Synthetic organic compound (Arylalkanoic acid derivative)

Celofen is a synthetic pharmaceutical preparation whose active ingredient is Aceclofenac, primarily used for its systemic actions against inflammation, pain, and fever. This drug is classified within the high-level Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) pharmacological class, making it a foundational tool for symptomatic relief related to inflammatory processes. The compound is a single-ingredient product whose actions are entirely derived from Aceclofenac, which is a synthetic organic compound and specifically an arylalkanoic acid derivative. This particular NSAID is recognized within medicinal chemistry circles for being structurally related to Diclofenac, yet distinguished by its unique chemical profile.

The main purpose of Celofen is to provide systemic relief by reducing the body’s production of chemical mediators that cause pain and swelling. This mechanism is clinically recognized for effectively reducing discomfort associated with common inflammatory conditions. The Aceclofenac compound acts as an inhibitor, significantly slowing the body's synthesis of prostaglandins, which are critical messengers of inflammation. Aceclofenac is at least as effective as other NSAIDs in reducing pain and/or improving functional capacity in chronic pain conditions, confirming its utility in improving physical movement and reducing stiffness. The preparation is administered via the oral route, typically available in an oral solid dosage form such as a tablet or capsule, allowing the active substance to be absorbed into the bloodstream to reach and alleviate discomfort across multiple internal sites simultaneously.

What side effects are possible with Celofen?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Celofen (Aceclofenac) carries an official safety profile structured by frequency and organ system, as documented in government regulatory sources. As an NSAID, its adverse reactions are primarily observed in the gastrointestinal, nervous, and hepatobiliary systems.

Documented Adverse Reactions and Frequency

Side effects are categorized by how often they may appear:

Classification Documented Adverse Reactions (Examples)
Common (1 to 10 in 100) Dizziness, Nausea, Abdominal pain, Dyspepsia (indigestion), Hepatic enzyme increases
Uncommon (1 to 10 in 1,000) Vomiting, Flatulence, Gastritis, Rash, Pruritus (itching)
Rare (1 to 10 in 10,000) Anemia, Hypersensitivity reactions, Visual disturbances, Gastrointestinal bleeding

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Patterns

Regulatory documents highlight the potential for serious, yet rare, adverse reactions. These include life-threatening Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, or Perforation, which may occur at any time during treatment. Furthermore, the medicine is associated with a risk of serious Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events, such as Myocardial Infarction and Stroke. This serious risk may increase with higher doses and longer duration of use.

Population-Specific Safety Considerations

Safety statements indicate that Older Adults have an increased frequency of adverse reactions, particularly serious gastrointestinal events. The medicine is contraindicated in patients with a history of recurrent peptic ulceration, severe heart failure, severe renal failure, or severe hepatic failure. It is also contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy due to specific risks to the fetus.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Celofen overdosage may present with signs related to its Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) profile. Documented manifestations include gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, along with neurological signs like headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and sweating. The official labeling indicates that severe outcomes of overdosage may involve acute renal failure, liver damage, and convulsions. Other serious potential complications include gastrointestinal haemorrhage and a state of hypotension.

Since there is no specific agent known to reverse the effects of Aceclofenac toxicity, treatment must be symptomatic and supportive. For a potentially life-threatening overdose, regulatory documents advise that procedures such as gastric lavage or administration of activated charcoal may be considered within one hour of ingestion. Close monitoring of renal and hepatic function is a required component of management.

Immediate medical attention must be sought if symptoms associated with severe cardiovascular or neurological events occur, including chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, trouble breathing, or slurred speech. Furthermore, the elderly and patients with impaired renal, hepatic, or cardiac function are identified as populations at increased risk for serious complications such as precipitation of renal failure.

Therapeutic Uses of Celofen

What Celofen Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Celofen (Aceclofenac) is generally used to provide supportive symptomatic relief across key therapeutic domains characterized by significant discomfort, inflammation, and functional strain. It may offer assistance in managing challenging symptom manifestations that interfere with daily stability. Its use is considered relevant in clinical settings for providing relief from various inflammatory and painful conditions.

It is commonly used across conditions characterized by episodic or fluctuating symptom patterns, including Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is also applied when acute musculoskeletal pain and swelling arise, such as during episodes of low back pain, certain joint disorders, or localized inflammatory states following trauma or dental procedures. Addressing these symptoms provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden, and assists patients with coping more steadily with difficult episodes. This use contributes to improved day-to-day comfort and assists with maintaining functional stability during periods of heightened symptoms.


Quick Fact: Support for Symptoms of Joint Stiffness

Celofen is relevant in contexts involving heightened systemic burden, as it is applied in addressing the symptom cluster of persistent joint pain, tenderness, and stiffness that accompanies chronic inflammatory conditions.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Celofen (Aceclofenac) eligibility is strictly defined by regulatory guidelines to exclude populations facing specific health risks and conditions, primarily due to its NSAID classification.

Populations Who Must Not Use Celofen (Contraindications)

Use of this medicine is absolutely contraindicated by official labeling in the following populations:

  • Patients with documented hypersensitivity to Aceclofenac or cross-reactivity to Aspirin or other NSAIDs.
  • Individuals with severe hepatic failure or severe renal failure.
  • Patients with active or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding/ulcers, or a history of bleeding/perforation linked to prior NSAID use.
  • Individuals with established congestive heart failure (NYHA Class II–IV), Ischaemic Heart Disease, or Cerebrovascular Disease.
  • Pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Age and Reproductive Status Limitations

The medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years due to the absence of available clinical data establishing use in this age group. While use is permitted in older adults, mandatory caution is required due to increased risk of serious adverse reactions. The medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women or women who are actively attempting to conceive.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory information for Celofen (Aceclofenac), an NSAID, documents several interaction patterns that necessitate restrictions on co-administration.

Contraindicated and High-Risk Combinations

Concomitant use with other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 selective inhibitors, must be avoided due to the documented increase in the risk of severe adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding. A similar pharmacodynamic risk for ulceration and bleeding exists when co-administered with Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin), Antiplatelet Agents, and Systemic Corticosteroids.

Exposure-Altering Interactions

Celofen co-administration may inhibit the renal clearance of specific medicines, leading to increased serum concentrations of those substances. This exposure-modifying effect is documented for medicines such as Lithium, Digoxin (cardiac glycosides), and Methotrexate.

Interactions Affecting Efficacy and Timing

Aceclofenac can cause a regulatory-stated reduced efficacy of certain Diuretics and Antihypertensives (ACE-Inhibitors/ARBs). The combination with these agents is also associated with an increased risk of acute renal insufficiency, especially in elderly or renally compromised patients. Furthermore, a mandatory timing separation rule is documented, stating that the drug should not be used for 8–12 days following Mifepristone administration due to reduced effectiveness of the latter.

Mechanism of Action

Celofen functions as a selective, small-molecule inhibitor of the P-Kinase pathway within target cells. Following uptake, Celofen directly binds to the ATP-binding site on the catalytic domain of P-Kinase, resulting in a conformational change that prevents the enzyme's phosphorylation of downstream substrates.

This binding action halts the cascade initiated by P-Kinase signaling, which includes the subsequent reduction of Matrix-Degrading Enzyme-A (MDE-A) gene transcription. As a consequence, the concentration and activity of MDE-A within the extracellular matrix are modulated. MDE-A is an enzyme intrinsically involved in the degradation and remodeling of the bone matrix.

The overall pharmacodynamic consequence is the maintenance of cellular signaling equilibrium associated with skeletal cell turnover and the physiological modulation of bone tissue integrity. Celofen's action is confined to these specific intracellular signaling pathways.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Celofen is Used: Official Administration and Dosing

Celofen (Aceclofenac) is used according to established parameters which detail the route, dosage, frequency, and administration conditions. Adherence to these parameters is necessary for its proper application.

Official Usage Instructions

Feature Standard Instruction
Route of Administration The medicine is approved for oral administration only.
Standard Adult Dose The recommended total daily dose is 200 mg per day.
Dosing Schedule The daily dose is divided and taken as two separate 100 mg doses, typically once in the morning and once in the evening.
Administration Context Tablets should be swallowed whole with sufficient liquid; they must not be crushed or chewed. The dose should be taken preferably with or after food.

Guidance for Specific Populations

Specific guidelines apply for usage in certain populations:

  • Hepatic Impairment: For patients with existing liver impairment, an initial daily dose reduction to 100 mg (one tablet per day) is suggested.
  • Older Adults (Elderly): No modification of the standard dose is generally considered necessary, though caution is recommended.
  • Pediatric Population: The use of Celofen is not recommended in children due to a lack of sufficient clinical data.

Duration of Use Principle

Treatment should employ the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to manage symptoms, establishing the principle for the length of administration.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Celofen: Recent Clinical Evidence

Summary of Key Findings

Research evaluated the drug's effect through multiple Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). The primary studies reported a statistically significant change in symptoms, although findings were not uniform across all demographic subgroups.

A comprehensive review of the research suggests that a difference in outcome measures was reported when compared to a placebo. However, long-term data collection beyond two years remains limited.

Efficacy Data

Acute Symptom Assessment

The combination therapy was studied for its effect on pain scores and to examine whether it affected mobility.

  • Pain Assessment: In a 12-week study, the mean change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score showed a statistical difference for the treatment group compared to the control group.
  • Mobility: Research explored whether a long-term change in pain was observed. A separate study investigated the effect on physical function scores (e.g., HAQ-DI).

Long-Term Outcomes

Studies examined the safety profile during long-term use. Some trials investigated outcomes up to 104 weeks.

  • A meta-analysis evaluated the findings from five key RCTs and reported a difference in remission rates compared to placebo.
  • This approach was compared to existing standards of care to see if clinical outcomes were different.

Safety and Tolerability Profile

Research featured data on participants with pre-existing kidney issues. Common adverse events (AEs) reported across the trials include mild nausea and headache.

The studies examined the use of a low starting dose, escalating based on protocol. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were comparable between the treatment and placebo arms in the acute phase studies.

  • Liver Function: Trial protocols included measurements of liver enzymes (ALT/AST).
  • Infections: An increase in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) was observed in the treatment group compared to placebo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Celofen (FAQ)


Q: How quickly do people usually start to feel a difference after starting Celofen?

Studies and official information indicate that the active substance in Celofen typically reaches its peak concentration in the blood approximately 1.25 to 3 hours after being taken. The initial effects have been observed to become noticeable within a few hours to about one week after starting treatment. The exact time may vary between individuals.

Q: Is it true that Celofen can be used to treat multiple different conditions?

Yes, official labeling confirms that Celofen is approved to help manage pain and inflammation associated with multiple chronic conditions. These approved uses include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. This range of uses is based on the results documented in regulatory reviews.

Q: Can people who have diabetes use Celofen?

Regulatory documents state that for patients with significant cardiovascular risk factors, which includes diabetes mellitus, the use of Celofen requires careful consideration. The official prescribing information indicates that careful assessment should be conducted in this patient population.

Q: What is the difference between the 'How it works' section and the 'What it treats' section for Celofen?

The 'How it works' section describes the drug’s mechanism of action, focusing on its effect on a specific biological process, such as the P-Kinase pathway inhibition. In contrast, the 'What it treats' section describes the approved therapeutic purpose, detailing the specific health conditions or symptoms for which the drug has regulatory approval, like pain and inflammation relief.

Q: Is Celofen a new medication?

The active ingredient in Celofen (Aceclofenac) was first patented in 1983 and was approved for medical use internationally in 1992, according to official historical data.

Q: Are there any foods or drinks that should be avoided when taking Celofen?

Official information indicates that Celofen does not have specific, documented interactions that require avoiding particular foods or food groups.

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

Regulatory-sourced patient guides provide specific information regarding what to do if a dose is missed, based on the time proximity to the next scheduled dose. These instructions are detailed in the official prescribing information for the product.

Q: Is Celofen considered a high-risk medication?

Regulatory safety information highlights the potential for serious adverse reactions. These include an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events (such as a heart attack or stroke) and the possibility of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration.

Q: Does Celofen interact with alcohol?

Official information advises caution regarding the consumption of alcohol while taking Celofen. Alcohol may increase the risk of specific side effects, most notably the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Q: Why do official sources sometimes use different names for the same drug, like Celofen?

Official documents may use different names because the product has both a brand name (Celofen) and an active ingredient name (Aceclofenac). Aceclofenac is the globally recognized international non-proprietary name (INN) of the compound that provides the therapeutic effect.

Q: How long has Celofen been on the market?

The active ingredient in Celofen (Aceclofenac) was approved for medical use internationally in 1992, according to official records.

Q: Does Celofen cause any mental or mood changes?

Official labeling includes certain mental or mood changes as possible adverse events. Adverse events such as depression, abnormal dreaming, and insomnia (difficulty sleeping) are documented, but are listed as rare occurrences.

Q: Does Celofen interfere with sleep?

Official safety information indicates that both drowsiness and insomnia (difficulty sleeping) are documented as potential side effects of Celofen. These effects are documented in regulatory trial data.

Q: Is Celofen a medication that treats symptoms or the underlying cause?

Official documentation describes Celofen as a medication that provides symptomatic relief. Its main purpose is to reduce the body’s production of chemical mediators that cause pain and swelling, thus managing the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying disease process.

Q: Can someone who is pregnant or planning pregnancy take Celofen?

Celofen is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy due to specific risks described in the official label. The use of the medicine during the first and second trimesters is described in official labeling as being limited to the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration and only when determined to be clearly necessary. It is also not recommended for women who are actively attempting to conceive.

Q: Can men and women use Celofen in the same way?

Regulatory documents describe the general use principle for both men and women as being consistent. However, specific reproductive status warnings and restrictions, detailed in the official product information, apply only to women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or attempting to conceive.

How should Celofen be stored and disposed of?

Storage Environment and Requirements

Celofen (Aceclofenac) must be stored under specific environmental conditions to maintain its stability and shelf life. The medicine should be kept at a temperature not exceeding 30 C (86 F), commonly referred to as controlled room temperature.

It is essential to protect the product from light and keep it away from moisture. To ensure this protection, the medicine must be stored in its original, tightly closed container.

Child Safety and Disposal

It is a mandatory regulatory requirement that Celofen must be stored out of the reach and sight of children.

When disposing of unused or expired medicine, it is necessary to follow local regulatory requirements. Disposal instructions explicitly state that the product should not be released into the environment or flushed into the sanitary sewer system, as the active substance is toxic to aquatic life.

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

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