Recommended Dosage of Injectable Diclofenac
The recommended dose of injectable (intramuscular) diclofenac is 75 mg per administration, with a maximum daily dose of 150 mg (equivalent to two doses of 75 mg), and a minimum interval between doses of 12 hours. 1
Dosing Guidelines
- Intramuscular diclofenac should be administered at a dose of 75 mg per injection 1, 2
- The maximum daily dose should not exceed 150 mg (two injections of 75 mg) 1
- A minimum interval of 12 hours between doses is required to minimize adverse effects 1
- For acute pain management (such as renal colic), a single dose of 75 mg is recommended as first-line treatment when the diagnosis is clear and there are no signs of complications 2
Clinical Applications
- Intramuscular diclofenac 75 mg is effective for acute pain management, including postoperative pain 2
- In acute crystal-induced arthritis, diclofenac can be administered at 150 mg daily for the first 3 days, followed by 75 mg daily for 3 additional days 2
- For management of acute renal colic, intramuscular diclofenac 75 mg is recommended as first-line treatment 2
- In postoperative settings, injectable diclofenac reduces opioid requirements and improves pain scores 2
Safety Considerations
- Diclofenac has a stricter daily limit (150 mg/day) compared to some other NSAIDs 1
- Higher risk of gastrointestinal and renal adverse effects with doses exceeding the recommended maximum 1
- Caution is needed in patients with:
Comparative Efficacy
- Injectable diclofenac 75 mg has comparable efficacy to other parenteral NSAIDs but with specific dosing limitations 1
- When compared to glucocorticosteroids for acute crystal-induced arthritis, diclofenac may be less effective at gaining quick control of severe pain on day 1, but shows similar efficacy by day 3 2
- The 75 mg dose provides effective analgesia with a duration of action of approximately 4-6 hours 3
Administration Considerations
- Intramuscular injection is the preferred route for injectable diclofenac 4
- The drug reaches peak plasma concentration approximately 30 minutes after administration 3
- The mean terminal half-life is 1-2 hours, allowing for a 4-6 hour duration of activity 3
Remember that while the standard dose is 75 mg per administration with a maximum of 150 mg daily, the treatment duration should be limited to the shortest period necessary to control symptoms, to minimize the risk of adverse effects.