Diclofenac Sodium
Brand names: Diclofenac Sodium Er, Pennsaid, Diclofenac Sodium
At a glance
- Medicare prescriptions, 2024
- 5,862,820
- Medicare drug cost
- $316.0M
- Average cost per prescription
- $53.91
- Clinicians who prescribed it
- 134,695
Where it is prescribed
List the prescribers in any state, county, city or ZIP code →
What it is used for
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of diclofenac sodium delayed-release tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use diclofenac. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals ( see WARNINGS; Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation ). Diclofenac is indicated: For relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis For relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis For acute or long-term use in the relief of signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
From the FDA-approved prescribing information (label dated March 2026). Full labels on DailyMed (opens in a new tab)
Boxed warning
WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (see WARNINGS ). Diclofenac sodium delayed-release tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS ). Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, And Perforation NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of…
The FDA’s strongest warning on a label. It doesn’t mean the drug is unsafe for most people; talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping or changing any medicine.
Who prescribes it
- Family Medicine 24.8%
- Internal Medicine 20.3%
- Nurse Practitioners 18.5%
- Physician Assistants 8.6%
- Orthopedic Surgery 4.2%
- Pain Medicine 3.4%
- Rheumatology 3.0%
- Podiatrists 2.9%
- General Practice 2.8%
- Ophthalmology 2.3%
- Sports Medicine 1.5%
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) 1.4%
All prescribers, by place, name or specialty →
Share of Medicare prescriptions written by each specialty. Select one to list its prescribers.
Trend, 2019–2024
Medicare prescriptions fell 13% from 2019 to 2024.
Biggest change by state since 2019
- Rhode Island +19%
- New York +16%
- Massachusetts +12%
- Hawaii +9%
- Arkansas +8%
- Colorado (smallest change) −42%
- Oregon (smallest change) −41%
From CMS’s yearly state and national Part D summaries, which count every prescriber, including those CMS leaves out of its per-clinician data (fewer than 11 prescriptions). That is why these totals are higher than the count at the top of this page. Prescriptions include refills.
What it looks like
Pills from 3 makers on file. The same medicine can look different depending on who made it, so check the imprint (the letters and numbers on the pill) with your pharmacist if a refill looks different.
Advanced Rx Pharmacy of Tennessee, LLC
| Strength | Looks like | Imprint |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mg | pink round tablet, 9 mm | 93 1041 |
Nucare Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
| Strength | Looks like | Imprint |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mg | pink round tablet, 10 mm | DX 41 |
Redpharm Drug
| Strength | Looks like | Imprint |
|---|---|---|
| 75 mg | white round tablet, 10 mm | 7 |
Source: DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), from each maker’s FDA drug listing. A few makers are shown, not every one. Never take a pill you can’t identify; ask a pharmacist.
Industry payments about this drug
No industry payments to clinicians named this drug in 2025.
Recalls and shortages
Not on the FDA drug shortage list.
3 recalls since 2020
- Jan 2026 · Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc · Class II
Failed Viscosity Specifications: Out of Specification (OOS) [slightly lower than the limit] result in viscosity for Diclofenac Sodium Gel, 3%. - Dec 2025 · Cipla USA, Inc. · Class III
Failed PH Specifications - Jun 2023 · Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Class II
Defective Delivery System
Recalls usually affect specific lots from one maker, not every version of a drug. Class I is the most serious; most drug recalls are Class II. FDA recalls (opens in a new tab)
Sources: CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers by Provider and Drug (2024; prescriptions include refills, and CMS hides counts under 11 per prescriber); U.S. Food and Drug Administration, openFDA (drug labels, NDC directory, enforcement reports, drug shortages); CMS Open Payments 2025; ClinicalTrials.gov. General information only, not medical advice; not yet reviewed by our medical reviewer.