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Diclofenac Sodium Coupon - Diclofenac Sodium 100g of 1% tube of gel

diclofenac sodium

Generic Voltaren
Used for Actinic Keratosis, Eye Inflammation, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diclofenac eye drops are used to ease pain, redness, swelling, and light sensitivity after certain types of eye surgery. It's typically applied to the affect eye(s), typically four times a day. Some of the more common side effects of diclofenac eye drops include temporary stinging and burning. This medication is only available as a generic.

Reviewed by:
reviewerConnie Zheng, PharmD
reviewerCydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 7, 2023
basics-icon

What is Diclofenac eye drops?

What is Diclofenac eye drops used for?

  • Pain, swelling, and redness (inflammation) in the eye after cataract surgery
  • Pain or light sensitivity in the eye after corneal surgery

How Diclofenac eye drops works

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It stops your body from making chemicals that cause pain, swelling, and redness in the eye.

Drug facts

Common BrandsVoltaren(brand no longer available)
Drug ClassNSAID
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Diclofenac eye drops

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Temporary stinging or burning sensation of the eye
  • Redness and swelling of the cornea (keratitis)
  • Teary eye

Less Common Side Effects

  • High pressure inside the eye
  • Blurry vision and trouble seeing clearly
  • Redness and swelling of the iris (the colored part of the eye)
  • Eye irritation or itchiness
  • Eye infection (like pink eye)
  • Dry eyes
  • Eye discharge
  • Eyelid swelling

Source: DailyMed

The following Diclofenac eye drops side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site

itching skin

Less common

Blood in the urine

chest pain

cough

dry, itching, or burning eyes

eye pain

headaches, including migraines

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

redness of the skin

redness or swelling of the eyes

runny or stuffy nose

skin rash other than at the application site

sore throat

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing

ulcers or sores on the skin, other than at the application site

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Chills

diarrhea

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

nausea

scaly, thick, or tingling skin

shivering

sweating

trouble sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Less common

Acne

back pain

belching

bleeding skin

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

dizziness

heartburn

increase in body movements

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

loss of or change in taste

loss or thinning of the hair

neck pain

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

stomach upset or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Diclofenac eye drops

Pros

  • Works well for eye pain, swelling, and redness
  • Causes fewer serious side effects than oral diclofenac
  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication

Cons

  • Inconvenient to use because it's typically applied 4 times a day
  • Can cause temporary stinging or burning after using
  • Can put you at higher risk for eye damage, especially if you have certain medical conditions, like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
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Pharmacist tips for Diclofenac eye drops

pharmacist
  • Wash your hands before putting diclofenac eye drops in your eyes. Don't touch the dropper tip with your eye, hands, or any other surface. This will help keep your bottle clean and prevent eye infections.
  • Use diclofenac eye drops exactly as prescribed. Using the drops longer or more often than what's prescribed can put you at higher risk for side effects, such as damage to your eyes.
  • After placing a drop of medication in your eye, without squeezing your eyes shut, close them gently for 2 to 3 minutes with your head tilted downward. Then, press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by your nose. This helps make sure your eye absorbs the medication.
  • If you need to put two diclofenac eye drops or use two different eye medications in the same eye, wait 5 minutes between each drop. If you put in the second drop too soon, it can flush out the first drop and you won't get the full dose of the medication.
  • Don't wear soft contacts while using diclofenac eye drops because you might experience eye-related side effects. Ask your provider when it's safe for you to start wearing contact lenses again.
  • If you're pregnant, check with your provider before using diclofenac eye drops. This medication isn't recommended for use during pregnancy because it wasn't studied in human pregnancy.
Common questions about Diclofenac Sodium

Common questions about Diclofenac Sodium

Limited research suggests that you can expect to feel eye pain easing about 2 hours after you apply Diclofenac Sodium. If you don't notice a difference in pain level after this time, let your provider know. Depending on your medical condition, they can recommend tips or talk with you about other medication options to ease the pain.

If you continue to experience pain after applying Diclofenac Sodium, contact your provider. They can talk with you about other medication options to help with pain, such as steroid eye drops, depending on what medical condition you have. If appropriate, they might recommend oral pain medications. But check with your provider before you start any over-the-counter oral pain medications. Your provider can let you know if they're safe to take with Diclofenac Sodium.

Diclofenac Sodium can cause mild burning or stinging your eyes, especially right after you put the drops in your eyes. This side effect should be temporary. Let your provider know if the burning or stinging gets worse or doesn't go away.

No, this medication isn't a steroid; it's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Even though steroid and NSAID eye drops are two different classes of medications, both can help with pain, swelling, and redness in the eyes. They're sometimes prescribed together after eye surgery.

No, Diclofenac Sodium is a prescription medication. You won't be able to find it over the counter.

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Risks and warnings for Diclofenac eye drops

Diclofenac eye drops can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Bleeding

  • Risk factors: History of bleeding problems | Using other medications that raise your risk of bleeding

Although rare, diclofenac eye drops can put you at risk for bleeds after eye surgery. Let your provider know if you have a history of bleeding problems or if you take any medications that can make you more likely to bleed, such as blood thinners. Call your provider if you notice blood spots on your eye, especially if you just had eye surgery.

Slower healing

  • Risk factors: Using corticosteroid eye drops

If you have any type of eye injury, diclofenac eye drops can slow down the healing process, especially if you're also using corticosteroid eye drops, such as prednisolone (Pred Forte) or dexamethasone (Maxidex). If you just had eye surgery, discuss with your provider which eye drops are most appropriate for you.

Cornea problems

  • Risk factors: History of problems with the cornea or surface of the eye | Multiple eye surgeries | Rheumatoid arthritis | Diabetes | Using diclofenac eye drops for more than 24 hours before surgery or 14 days after surgery

Diclofenac eye drops can cause redness, swelling, weakening, or injury to the cornea. The cornea is the clear, protective layer at the front of the eye. Cornea problems can seriously affect your eyesight, and they might cause blindness. Let your provider know if you have a history of any type of cornea problems or if you're having multiple eye surgeries. Certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, can put you at higher risk for cornea damage. Make sure you're getting regular eye check-ups while you're using diclofenac eye drops. Contact your provider immediately if you notice changes in your vision, or experience more eye pain or discomfort.

No soft contact lenses

Don't wear soft contacts while using diclofenac eye drops because doing so can lead to eye-related side effects. After surgery, your provider will let you know when it's safe to wear soft contacts again.

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Diclofenac eye drops dosage

The average cost for 1 tube of 100g of 1% of Diclofenac eye drops is $14.41 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 44.17% off the average retail price of $25.81.
eye dropperEye dropper
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
5ml of 0.1%1 eye dropper$15.41$15.41
2.5ml of 0.1%1 eye dropper$8.95$8.95

Typical dosage for Diclofenac eye drops

Pain, swelling, and redness after cataract surgery: The typical dose is to place 1 drop into the affected eye(s) four times daily. Start 24 hours after surgery and continue for 2 weeks.

Pain or light sensitivity after corneal surgery: The typical dose is to place 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye(s) within an hour before surgery, then again within 15 minutes after surgery. Continue to place 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye(s) four times daily for up to 3 days.

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Interactions between Diclofenac eye drops and other drugs

Diclofenac eye drops may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Diclofenac eye drops. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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How much does Diclofenac eye drops cost?

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Voltaren (brand)
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What are alternatives to Diclofenac eye drops?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Diclofenac eye drops. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Diclofenac eye drops
Used for:
  • Pain, swelling, and redness (inflammation) in the eye after cataract surgery
  • Pain or light sensitivity in the eye after corneal surgery
$7.06Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Relief of pain or inflammation after cornea refractive surgery in people ages 3 years and older - Ketorolac (Acular LS) 0.4% only
  • Relief of pain or inflammation after cataract removal in people ages 2 years and older- Ketorolac (Acuvail) 0.45% and ketorolac (Acular) 0.5% only
  • Itchy eyes due to allergies in people ages 2 years and older - Ketorolac (Acular) 0.5% only
$3.20Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$25.00Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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Diclofenac eye drops images

white - Diclofenac Sodium 1% Topical Gel
This medicine is White Tube Of Gel.white - Diclofenac Sodium 1% Topical Gel
white - Geri-Care Diclofenac Sodium 1% Topical Gel
This medicine is White Tube Of Gel.white - Geri-Care Diclofenac Sodium 1% Topical Gel
This medicine is Colorless Tube Of Gel.
This medicine is Colorless Tube Of Gel.
This medicine is Colorless Tube Of Gel.

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References

Best studies we found

Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2022). Diclofenac- diclofenac sodium solution/drops [package insert]. DailyMed.

Hoffman, R. S., et al. (2016). Cataract surgery and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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