Does Cambia Work Well for Migraines?

Key takeaways:

• Cambia (diclofenac potassium) is an oral powder that’s FDA approved to treat migraines.

• Cambia powder is dissolved in water and drank immediately after mixing. Only water should be used to prepare the medication.

• Cambia is generally well-tolerated, with nausea being the most common side effect. Long-term use can lead to serious side effects, such as stomach ulcers or bleeding

If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know how terrible they can be. Migraine pain is intense and can also bring on other symptoms. This might include sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms can affect daily activities and confine you to a dark, quiet room or to your bed.

Migraines affect more than 10% of people worldwide, most of them being between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. Migraines in women are about three times more common than in men. So, when a migraine hits, people want quick relief. One potential treatment may be a medication called Cambia (diclofenac potassium).

What is Cambia?

The active ingredient in Cambia is diclofenac potassium. It’s a prescription-only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are commonly used to treat pain and inflammation (swelling). Other medications in this category include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).

Diclofenac comes in many forms, including an oral tablet and a topical gel. What makes Cambia different is how you take it. Instead of a tablet, Cambia is an oral powder that’s dissolved in water to provide quick relief.

How effective is Cambia for migraines?

Two clinical trials helped Cambia earn its FDA approval. Both studies compared Cambia powder to placebo (a powder that contained no medication). The studies looked at three different variables:

• The number of people who had some pain relief within 2 hours

• The number of people who were pain free within 2 hours

• The number of people who remained pain free up to 24 hours later

In the first trial, 48% of people taking Cambia had some pain relief in 2 hours, and 24% were pain free within 2 hours. Additionally, 22% remained pain free up to 24 hours after taking Cambia.

In the second trial, 65% of people taking Cambia had some pain relief in 2 hours, and 25% reported they were pain free within 2 hours. And, 19% remained pain free up to 24 hours after taking Cambia.

In both studies, about half as many people taking placebo experienced the same results. People taking Cambia also reported significantly less nausea and sensitivity to light or sound than those taking placebo.

How is Cambia dosed? 

For migraine attacks, the typical dose of Cambia is one 50 mg packet. You’ll dissolve the packet in 30 mL to 60 mL (about 1 to 2 ounces) of water and drink it right away. It’s important to only mix Cambia powder with water. Mixing it with other liquids, like juice or tea, isn’t recommended.

You should only take a single dose of Cambia per migraine. The safety and effectiveness of using more than one dose hasn’t been well-studied. Using medications like Cambia more than 10 times per month may cause more frequent migraines (rebound headaches).

If you’re having recurring migraines, talk with your healthcare provider. They may suggest medications to help prevent migraines or another type of treatment.

What are the side effects of Cambia?

Side effects with Cambia aren’t common. This is likely because people take it as a one-time dose and limit how much they use it per month. Nausea and dizziness were reported by a small number of people taking Cambia in clinical trials, but this was similar to those taking placebo.

Still, long-term use or high doses of medications like Cambia have a number of serious risks. Chronic use of NSAIDs is linked to following severe side effects:

• Stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding

• Higher risk of other types of serious bleeding

• Kidney damage

• Higher risk of having a heart attack

Who shouldn’t take Cambia? 

Cambia may not be the best option for some people. For them, the benefits of the medication may not outweigh the potential risks.

Cambia may not be the safest choice if you:

• Have a history of heart issues, including recent heart bypass surgery

• Have a history of bleeding issues

• Have a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers

• Have kidney problems or chronic kidney disease

• Have an allergy to aspirin or other NSAIDs

• Are pregnant or nursing

What drug interactions does Cambia have?

Cambia interacts with several different medications. Keep in mind that what’s discussed here are only some of the possible interactions. For this reason, it’s important to keep your medication list up to date and share it with your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Examples of medications that interact with Cambia include:

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), such as losartan (Cozaar)

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril)

• Beta blockers, such as propranolol

• Antiplatelet medications, such as clopidogrel (Plavix)

• Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and apixaban (Eliquis)

• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

• Digoxin (Lanoxin)

• Diuretics (“water pills”), such as furosemide (Lasix)

• Lithium (Lithobid)

• Methotrexate

• Other NSAIDs

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Clay M. Cooper, PharmD

Clay Cooper, PharmD, has over 10 years of pharmacy practice experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including in independent community pharmacy, retail pharmacy, and long-term care pharmacy. He is a licensed pharmacist in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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