Diclofenac 50 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Pain and swelling from sprains, strains, fractures and sports injuries; Joint pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.52 to ₹2.19 per tablet across 6 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diclofenac Gastro-Resistant Tablets IP 50 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹5.16 | ₹0.52 | 19 October 2026 |
| Dicloflam 50 | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹14.82 | ₹1.48 | 19 October 2026 |
| Jonac 50 | Zydus Cadila | 10 | ₹17.97 | ₹1.80 | 19 October 2026 |
| Dicloran 50 | Lekar Pharma Ltd | 10 | ₹21.53 | ₹2.15 | 19 October 2026 |
| Voveran-D | Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd | 10 | ₹21.74 | ₹2.17 | 19 October 2026 |
| Reactin 50 | Cipla Ltd | 10 | ₹21.94 | ₹2.19 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Pain and swelling from sprains, strains, fractures and sports injuries.
- Joint pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Gout attacks.
- Pain after dental work or minor surgery, and period pain.
- Migraine attacks, when prescribed by a doctor.
How to take it
Diclofenac 50 mg tablets are usually taken two or three times a day, with a maximum of 150 mg a day. Take each tablet with milk, or with water after a meal or snack, to protect your stomach. Swallow it whole; do not crush or chew. Dispersible (DT) tablets like Voveran-D are dissolved in water first. For an injury or dental pain one or two days is often enough; longer courses for arthritis should be reviewed by your doctor, who may add a stomach-protecting medicine. Use the lowest dose for the shortest time, and see a doctor if you get black stools, stomach pain or vomiting.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea, vomiting or stomach ache.
- Diarrhoea or wind.
- Dizziness or headache.
- Loss of appetite.
- Mild rash or more sensitivity to sunlight.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Black stools or blood in vomit – bleeding in the stomach or gut. Stop and see a doctor at once.
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin – liver problems.
- Breathlessness, tiredness and swollen ankles – heart failure.
- Chest pain, or weakness on one side of the body – diclofenac can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially at high doses or with long use.
Safety information
Alcohol
Limit alcohol. It adds to the stomach irritation and bleeding risk of diclofenac.
Pregnancy
Not suitable if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding unless your doctor specifically advises it. Paracetamol is the usual choice in pregnancy.
Kidney problems
May not be suitable if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure; diclofenac can reduce kidney function, especially with dehydration or water pills. Tell your doctor.
Liver problems
Not for people with severe liver disease. Tell your doctor about any liver problem.
Children
Tablets can be prescribed to children from 12 months for joint problems, only by a doctor who works out the dose by weight. Do not give adult 50 mg tablets to a child on your own.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember, unless the next dose is nearly due – then skip the missed one. Never take two doses together.
Interactions
- Other NSAIDs – aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, aceclofenac – and cold-and-flu combinations that contain them. Do not combine. Paracetamol and codeine are fine.
- Warfarin and other blood thinners, and SSRI antidepressants (citalopram, sertraline) – higher bleeding risk.
- Blood pressure medicines and water pills (furosemide, bumetanide) – diclofenac weakens them and strains the kidneys.
- Steroids (prednisolone, hydrocortisone) – more stomach ulcers.
- Methotrexate, lithium, digoxin, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, phenytoin – levels can rise.
- Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin) – small risk of fits.
Frequently asked questions
Voveran 50 before or after food?
After food, or with a glass of milk. Diclofenac on an empty stomach is a common cause of acidity and stomach pain. Voveran-D dispersible tablets should be dissolved in water before you drink them.
Voveran vs Voveran SR – what is the difference?
Plain diclofenac 50 mg tablets act within an hour and are taken two or three times a day. SR (sustained release) 75 mg or 100 mg tablets release slowly and are taken once or twice a day for constant pain like arthritis. SR tablets must be swallowed whole.
Can I take diclofenac with alcohol?
Keep alcohol to a minimum. Both irritate the stomach lining, and together they raise the risk of ulcers and bleeding.
Can I take Voveran and Dolo 650 together?
Yes, paracetamol can be taken alongside diclofenac and doctors often combine them. Do not take Voveran with ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin for pain.
Is diclofenac bad for the heart?
Diclofenac can slightly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially at high doses or over long periods. People with heart disease, past heart attack or stroke should avoid it; others should use the lowest dose for the shortest time.
Is Voveran 50 safe in pregnancy?
No. Diclofenac should be avoided in pregnancy, particularly in the last three months, and while breastfeeding unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Can I take diclofenac for dengue fever?
No. In dengue, platelets fall and NSAIDs like diclofenac increase the risk of bleeding. Use only paracetamol for fever and body pain in dengue, and see a doctor.
How long does diclofenac take to work?
Pain relief usually starts within 30 to 60 minutes of a tablet. The anti-inflammatory effect on swelling builds up over a few days of regular use.
Is diclofenac sold without prescription in India?
Diclofenac tablets are Schedule H, so the chemist should ask for a prescription. Diclofenac gel for local pain is sold over the counter.
Sources
- NHS – Diclofenac (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms