Dofene

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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 Dofene

Property Description
Active ingredient Diclofenac (often as Sodium or Potassium salt)
Form Tablet, Capsule, Solution for injection, Topical gel
Pharmacological class Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Common purpose General relief of pain, inflammation, and fever
Origin Synthetic substance (Phenylacetic acid derivative)

Dofene: Definition, Class, and Active Ingredient

Dofene is a specific pharmaceutical product containing the active substance Diclofenac, which is an agent in the pharmacological class of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). This medication is a synthetic substance chemically classified as a phenylacetic acid derivative. Diclofenac is classified as an NSAID and functions as both an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory agent; its principal roles are to provide pain relief and reduce swelling.

Forms, Administration, and General Purpose

The Diclofenac active ingredient in Dofene is incorporated into a variety of dosage forms to accommodate different patient needs. This range includes oral forms like tablets and capsules as well as specialized formulations such as solutions for injection (for systemic effect) and topical gels (for localized relief). This allows for multiple routes of administration, including oral, parenteral, and local application. Diclofenac functions as a non-opioid pain reliever. The general purpose of Dofene, regardless of its form, is the mitigation of pain, the reduction of inflammation, and the lowering of fever, achieved by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins.

What side effects are possible with Dofene?

Dofene, which contains the active substance Diclofenac, has an officially documented safety profile characterized by adverse reactions that are classified by frequency and affected body system, consistent with its membership in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The most Common side effects listed in regulatory documents involve the gastrointestinal and nervous systems, and include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, and elevated transaminases. Less frequent but documented events (Rare or Very Rare) include hypersensitivity reactions, somnolence, asthma, and severe skin conditions.

Serious Adverse Reactions

Official labeling emphasizes the risk of serious, potentially fatal adverse reactions. These include:

  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation.
  • Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events such as Myocardial Infarction and Stroke.
  • Severe Hepatic Reactions, including fulminant hepatitis and liver failure.

Safety Constraints and Special Populations

The risk of thrombotic events is associated with high dosages and long-term treatment, a pattern explicitly noted in regulatory safety data. Diclofenac is formally contraindicated in patients with established congestive heart failure (NYHA Class II–IV), ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, or cerebrovascular disease. It is also contraindicated in individuals with active gastrointestinal ulceration, severe hepatic or renal failure, and during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Safety documents also require close monitoring of hepatic function and blood pressure during prolonged therapy. The official safety information establishes a structural risk framework that mandates specific constraints for use in high-risk groups, without providing individualized clinical advice.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory profile for Diclofenac (Dofene) overdose describes potential severe systemic effects requiring immediate medical attention. Management is primarily symptomatic and supportive, as no specific antidote is known for this Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) overdose.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

System Officially Listed Manifestations
Gastrointestinal Nausea, vomiting (potentially bloody), diarrhea, stomach pain, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Central Nervous System Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, confusion, agitation, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Severe Outcomes Seizures, coma (decreased level of consciousness), acute renal failure (kidney damage), and significant internal bleeding.

Required Emergency Actions

Regulatory documents mandate that individuals seek immediate medical help right away for any suspected overdose. Emergency actions may include administering activated charcoal, providing IV fluids, and initiating hospital monitoring. Patients with severe symptoms or those who have taken a large overdose must receive continuous observation, as a large overdose is documented as potentially very harmful. The elderly and those with existing renal or hepatic impairment face increased risk of severe outcomes.

Therapeutic Uses of Dofene

What Dofene Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Dofene is applied in therapeutic contexts where significant discomfort is driven by inflammation, offering symptomatic relief across several key clinical domains. Its utility is centered on managing symptoms that interfere with daily functioning or intensify over time, providing support that helps ease the overall symptom burden.

The medication is used to treat mild-to-moderate pain and relieve symptoms of various forms of arthritis and other painful conditions. It is part of symptomatic management for conditions presenting with localized discomfort, such as Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, acute gout flares, and specific pain issues like migraine headache and primary dysmenorrhea. It is also relevant for easing symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states following minor sprains and strains.

This support assists with maintaining functional stability when symptoms are more noticeable, helping patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations. It supports patients during difficult episodes by easing distress and contributes to easing the overall symptom load of chronic joint diseases and acute pain episodes.


Quick Fact: Relief for Joint Stiffness and Tenderness

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Population Eligibility for Dofene (Diclofenac)

The eligibility for Dofene use is determined by regulatory bodies based on specific patient health conditions and physiological states. The medication is generally approved for use in adults, but its use is restricted or prohibited in several populations as documented in official labeling.


Absolute Contraindications

Dofene must not be used in patients with the following conditions:

  • Hypersensitivity to diclofenac, other NSAIDs, or drug components.
  • History of NSAID-sensitive asthma, angioedema, or urticaria.
  • Active gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding, or perforation.
  • Severe heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) or established cardiovascular disease.
  • Pain treatment in the setting of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.
  • Severe hepatic or renal failure.
  • Third trimester of pregnancy (from approximately 30 weeks gestation).

Restricted and Age-Related Use

Population Regulatory Status
Older Adults (≥65 years) Permitted, but requires particular caution due to increased risk of adverse events.
Pediatric Patients Generally not recommended for children under specified ages due to insufficient data or dosage strength.
First/Second Trimesters of Pregnancy Use is restricted; avoided from 20 weeks gestation due to risk of fetal renal dysfunction.

Use also requires special consideration for patients with mild-to-moderate organ impairment, cardiovascular risk factors, and a history of GI toxicity, often necessitating the lowest effective dose.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Dofene Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory documents require the assessment of Dofene’s interactions with numerous drug classes, based on both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic mechanisms.

Interaction Classification Interacting Agents / Classes
Contraindicated Combinations Use with other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, due to an unacceptable risk of additive gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and bleeding.
Increased Exposure Risk CYP2C9 Inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole) which can significantly increase Dofene plasma concentration (AUC/Cmax) via metabolic inhibition.
Increased Toxicity Risk Methotrexate and Lithium, as Dofene can reduce their renal clearance, leading to dangerously increased serum levels and potential toxicity.
Pharmacodynamic Risk Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), Antiplatelet agents, and SSRIs due to an additive risk of serious bleeding events and GI ulceration.
Reduced Efficacy Risk Diuretics and ACE Inhibitors/ARBs, as Dofene can reduce their blood pressure-lowering and natriuretic effects.
Timing Requirements Certain absorption inhibitors (e.g., bile acid sequestrants) require the administration of Dofene to be separated in time to prevent interference with its absorption.

The regulatory profile highlights that elderly patients and those with pre-existing renal impairment have a greater risk of adverse interactions when Dofene is combined with drugs that affect kidney function. Close monitoring of blood pressure, renal function, and plasma levels is officially required for many co-administered high-risk medications.

Mechanism of Action

The action of Dofene, containing Diclofenac, is governed by molecular mechanisms that influence key regulatory systems, primarily the biosynthesis of lipid mediators and nociceptive signaling. The primary action is the competitive, reversible inhibition of the Cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) enzyme. COX-2 is central to the prostaglandin synthesis pathway; its suppression reduces the formation of inflammatory mediators like PGE2 at sites of tissue damage. This molecular suppression modifies early steps in the cascade, leading to systemic physiological adjustments that mitigate the inflammatory response. Additionally, Diclofenac influences nociceptive signaling via direct modulation of neural pathways, including blockade of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels ( ASICs) and influence over NMDA receptor-mediated hyperalgesia in the spinal cord. This alters the signaling dynamics within nociceptive pathways, resulting in reduced afferent nerve activity. Furthermore, inhibiting PGE2 synthesis in the hypothalamus resets the body's core temperature reference point, engaging a mechanism that regulates an overactive process, leading to a physiological adjustment that stabilizes body temperature.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration and Official Dosing Guidelines

Official regulatory documents standardize the usage of Dofene (Diclofenac) across various routes and formulations. The core principle for all use is to administer the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to achieve treatment goals.


Instruction Category Official Guideline Detail
Route of Administration Approved routes include Oral (tablets, capsules, solution), Topical (gels, solutions), Intravenous (IV), and Rectal (suppositories).
Standard Dosing (Oral) Typical daily systemic maintenance dose ranges from 100 mg to 150 mg (administered in divided doses) for chronic conditions. The dose for acute migraine is typically a single 50 mg oral solution packet.
Dosing Frequency Administered once daily (extended-release forms), two to four times daily (standard release), or as needed (PRN) for acute pain.
Timing in Relation to Meals Certain oral formulations (e.g., oral powder, free acid capsules) must be taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. Most other oral forms may be taken without regard to food.
Preparation & Handling Oral powder must be mixed with 30 to 60 mL of water only and consumed immediately. Extended-release forms must be swallowed whole and must not be crushed or chewed.
Age-Group Rules Systemic use is generally not established for children under 12 years. In older adults, the lowest effective dose is recommended due to increased risk of adverse reactions.

Procedural Structure

The official protocol dictates adherence to formulation-specific rules: selecting the correct administration pathway (e.g., IV for acute needs, topical for localized application) and strictly following the labeled dose ranges and frequency schedules. All forms are subject to the principle of using the minimum effective dose for a brief time to meet treatment objectives.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Research Focus

Studies conducted on Dofene's action investigated the A2 B receptor pathway. Research has explored whether this investigation relates to inflammation markers.


Clinical Trial Investigations

Clinical trials examined whether Dofene could affect symptoms of moderate-to-severe X-syndrome. Primary endpoints in the key Phase III trial included changes in the X-S Severity Score (XSS) after 12 weeks of treatment.

  • Phase II: An initial 8-week, dose-ranging study investigated different milligram amounts. The clinical trials included a dose-ranging phase that evaluated different milligram amounts.
  • Phase III (Primary Trial): This 24-week trial randomized 600 participants to receive Dofene or a placebo. The change in mean XSS was measured. The trial data measured the change in mean XSS score for the group studied with Dofene against the placebo group.
  • Combination Therapy: Research explored whether the combination affected treatment adherence; trial documentation included subjective reports related to symptom changes among some participants in the combined treatment groups.

Safety and Long-Term Data

Safety Profile Study

Research investigated the frequency of adverse events, including gastrointestinal upset and fatigue. Research is ongoing to fully characterize Dofene's observed risk profile.

Specific Patient Groups

Research has evaluated Dofene's profile in individuals with mild liver impairment, but studies in individuals with severe impairment are limited. Clinical studies evaluated the drug's absorption parameters under controlled conditions.

Long-Term Observational Studies

Studies have investigated whether the trial participants showed changes in hospitalization rates over the study period in a subset of participants. The long-term effects were assessed, and research has evaluated whether the study observations showed changes in disease progression markers, though this requires further study.

Comparative Investigations

Trials have been conducted comparing Dofene's studied outcomes with those of the current standard of care by assessing changes in the XSS score at 6 months. Research has evaluated whether the trial observations noted differences in the severity of flare-ups when compared to the standard of care group.

How should Dofene be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Handling Requirements

All forms of Dofene must be stored according to the specific conditions defined in the regulatory labeling to maintain product quality. Most oral forms require storage at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). The medicine must be stored out of the sight and reach of children and Do not freeze any Dofene product unless otherwise specified on the label. To protect product stability, it is mandatory to store Dofene in the original container, protecting it from light and moisture.

Official Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Dofene must be disposed of safely according to regulatory guidelines. The product should not be thrown away via household wastewater or common household trash. Instead, dispose of the medicine by utilizing an official drug take-back program or following other local requirements for pharmaceutical waste.

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

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