Apo-Diclo Rapide 50 mg Tablets: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What the Medication is used for:

Your healthcare provider has prescribed APO-DICLO RAPIDE for short term treatment of acute, mild to moderately severe pain that may be accompanied with swelling (inflammation) in conditions such as sprains, tooth extraction, episiotomy (a surgical cut made just before delivery to enlarge vaginal opening), and dysmenorhea (painful menstrual periods).

What it does:

APO-DICLO RAPIDE (diclofenac potassium), as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), can reduce the chemicals prostaglandins produced by your body which cause pain and swelling.

APO-DICLO RAPIDE, as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) does NOT cure your illness or prevent it from getting worse. APO-DICLO RAPIDE can only relieve pain and reduce swelling as long as you continue to take it.

When it should not be used:

DO NOT TAKE APO-DICLO RAPIDE if you have any of the following conditions:

• Heart bypass surgery (planning to have or recently had)

• Severe, uncontrolled heart failure

  • Bleeding in the brain or other bleeding disorders

  • Currently pregnant and in a later stage of pregnancy (from 28 weeks or later)

  • Currently breastfeeding (or planning to breastfeed)
  • Allergy (hypersensitivity) to diclofenac potassium, or ASA (Acetylsalicylic Acid), or other NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs), or any of the nonmedicinal ingredients in APO-DICLO RAPIDE.
  • Ulcer (active)
  • Bleeding or perforation from the stomach or gut (active)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis)
  • Liver disease (active or severe)
  • Kidney problems (severe or worsening)
  • High potassium in the blood

Patients who took a drug in the same class as APO-DICLO RAPIDE after a type of heart surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)) were more likely to have heart attacks, strokes, blood clots in the leg(s) or lung(s), and infections or other complications than those who did NOT take that drug.

APO-DICLO RAPIDE should NOT be used in patients under 16 years of age since the safety and effectiveness have NOT been established.

What the medicinal ingredient is:

APO-DICLO RAPIDE contains the active ingredient diclofenac potassium.

What the non-medicinal ingredients are:

Each APO-DICLO RAPIDE tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, ferric oxide red, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, tribasic calcium phosphate and titanium dioxide.

What dosage form it comes in:

APO-DICLO RAPIDE 50 mg Tablets: reddish-brown, round, biconvex, coated tablet, engraved “50” on one side and plain on the other side.

Check with your pharmacist if the identifying markings or color appear different.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Serious Warnings and Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your health care provider if you have any of the following:

• Disease of the heart or blood vessels (also called cardiovascular disease, including uncontrolled high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, established ischemic heart disease, or peripheral arterial disease), as treatment with APO-DICLO RAPIDE in these cases is not recommended.
• Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (see above) such as high blood pressure, abnormally high levels of fat (cholesterol, triglycerides) in your blood, diabetes, or if you smoke,
• Diabetes mellitus or on a low sugar diet
• Atherosclerosis
• Poor circulation to your extremities
• Kidney disease or urine problems
• Previous ulcer or bleeding from the stomach or gut
• If you recently had a surgery of the stomach or intestinal tract (intestines, colon, rectum, anus).
• Previous bleeding in the brain
• Bleeding problems
• Family history of allergy to NSAIDs, such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), celecoxib, diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, nabumetone, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, rofecoxib, sulindac, tenoxicam, tiaprofenic acid, tolmetin, or valdecoxib (NOT a complete list)
• Family history of asthma, nasal polyps, long-term swelling of the sinus (chronic sinusitis) or hives
• Any other medical problem such as alcohol abuse
• Any side effects from medicines for arthritis, rheumatism or sore joints that you have taken in the past
• A history of stomach upset
• Are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium diet

Also, before taking this medication, tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or become pregnant while taking APO-DICLO RAPIDE.

While taking this medication:

• Tell any other doctor, dentist, pharmacist or other health care professional that you see, that you are taking this medication, especially if you are planning to have heart surgery, or surgery of the stomach or intestinal tract;
• Do NOT drink alcoholic beverages while
• taking this medication because you would be more likely to develop stomach problems;
• Fertility may be decreased. The use of APO-DICLO RAPIDE is not recommended in women trying to get pregnant. In women who have difficulty conceiving, stopping APO-DICLO RAPIDE should be considered.
• If you have cardiovascular disease or risks for cardiovascular disease, your doctor will periodically re-evaluate whether you should continue treatment with APO-DICLO RAPIDE.
• Your doctor will monitor your kidney function, your liver function and your blood count to decide if APO-DICLO RAPIDE needs to be discontinued.

If, at any time while taking APO-DICLO RAPIDE you experience any signs or symptoms of problems with your heart or blood vessels such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or slurring of speech, contact your doctor immediately.

Long-term use of APO-DICLO RAPIDE might increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes

Serious Skin Reactions: In rare cases, serious or life-threatening skin reactions listed below have been reported with some NSAIDs, such as APO-DICLO RAPIDE.

• Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS),
• toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN),
• exfoliative dermatitis and
• erythema multiforme

You may be at a greater risk of experiencing a serious skin reaction usually during the first month of treatment. See the Serious side effects and what to do about them table, below, for more information on these and other serious side effects.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

Talk to your health care provider and pharmacist if you are taking any other medication (prescription or non-prescription) such as any of the following (NOT a complete list):

• Acetaminophen
• Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) or other NSAIDs e.g. ASA, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac, meloxicam, naproxen

• Alcohol

  • Antacids

  • Anti-depressants

    • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

      e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline

  • Blood pressure medications

    • ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors

      e.g. enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril

    • ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers)

      e.g. candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan

    • Beta-blockers

      e.g. metoprolol

  • Blood thinners (medicines used to prevent blood clotting)
  • e.g. warfarin, ASA, clopidogrel
  • Corticosteroids (including glucocorticoids) (medicines used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body) e.g. prednisone
  • Cyclosporine (a medicine primarily used in patients who have received organ transplants)
  • Digoxin (a medicine used for heart problems)
  • Diuretics (medicines used to increase the amount of urine) e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
  • Lithium
  • Methotrexate (a medicine used to treat some kinds of cancer or arthritis)
  • Oral hypoglycemics (diabetes medications such as metformin)
  • Phenytoin (a medicine used to treat seizures).
  • Probenecid
  • Quinolone antibacterials (medicines used against infection)
  • Rifampin (an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections)
  • Sulfinpyrazone (a medicine used to treat gout)
  • Tacrolimus (a medicine primarily used in patients who have received organ transplants)
  • Trimethoprim (a medicine used to prevent or treat urinary tract infection)
  • Voriconazole (a medicine used to treat fungal infections).

Your health care provider may prescribe low dose ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) as a blood thinner to reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke while you are taking APO-DICLO RAPIDE. Take only the amount of ASA prescribed by your health care provider. You are more likely to upset or damage your stomach if you take both APO-DICLO RAPIDE and ASA than if you took APO-DICLO RAPIDE alone.

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

Usual dose:

Take APO-DICLO RAPIDE as directed by your health care provider. Do NOT take more of it, do NOT take it more often and do NOT take it for a longer period of time than your health care provider recommended. If possible, you should take the lowest dose of this medication for the shortest time period. Taking too much APO-DICLO RAPIDE may increase your chances of unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects, especially if you are elderly and frail or if you have a low body weight, have other diseases or take other medications.

If you are not getting adequate relief from your medication, speak to your doctor before you stop taking it.

This medication has been prescribed specifically for you. Do NOT give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms seem to be similar to yours.

APO-DICLO RAPIDE is NOT recommended for use in patients under 16 years of age since safety and effectiveness have NOT been established.

Take the APO-DICLO RAPIDE with a meal or food to reduce the possibility of stomach upset.

APO-DICLO RAPIDE (diclofenac potassium): APO DICLO-RAPIDE are immediate release tablets. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water, and must not be divided or chewed.

Missed dose:

If you forget to take one or more doses of APO-DICLO RAPIDE (diclofenac potassium), you should not increase the dose of APO-DICLO RAPIDE to make up for the missed dose or doses, but you should continue taking your tablet at the next prescribed or regular time.

Overdose

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

APO-DICLO RAPIDE may cause some side effects, especially when used for a long time or in large doses. When these side effects occur, you may require medical attention. Report all symptoms or side effects to your health care provider.

APO-DICLO RAPIDE may cause you to become drowsy or tired. Be careful about driving or participating in activities that require you to be alert. If you become drowsy, dizzy or light-headed after taking APO-DICLO RAPIDE, do NOT drive or operate machinery.

APO-DICLO RAPIDE may cause you to become more sensitive to sunlight. Any exposure to sunlight or sunlamps may cause sunburn, skin blisters, skin rash, redness, itching or discolouration, or vision changes. If you have a reaction from the sun, check with your health care provider.

Check with your health care provider IMMEDIATELY if you develop chills, fever, muscle aches or pains, or other flu-like symptoms, especially if they occur before or together with a skin rash. These symptoms may be the first signs of a SERIOUS ALLERGIC

REACTION to this medication.

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

This is NOT a complete list of side effects. If you develop any other symptoms while taking APO-DICLO RAPIDE, see your health care provider.

HOW TO STORE IT

Store between 15°C to 30°C. Protect the tablets from heat and humidity.

Do NOT keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Any outdated or unused medicine should be returned to your pharmacist.

Keep out of reach of children.

REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS

REPORTING SIDE EFFECTS

MORE INFORMATION

If you want more information APO-DICLO RAPIDE:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html). Find the Consumer Information on the manufacturer’s website (http://www.apotex.ca/products), or by calling 1-800-667-4708.

Date of revision: July 12, 2022