Comprehensive medication guide to Diclofenac including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic diclofenac sodium at Tier 1–2 on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans. Prescription topical formulations (Pennsaid) may require prior authorization on some plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$10–$40 retail for generic diclofenac sodium tablets (30-day supply); as low as $10–$22 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. OTC Voltaren Gel 1% costs $10–$20 at most retailers.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. It is one of the most widely prescribed pain medications in the United States, with over 9 million prescriptions dispensed in 2023 alone. It is available in many forms, including oral tablets and capsules, topical gel and patch, oral powder, and intravenous solution.
Diclofenac is sold under several brand names including Voltaren, Cataflam, Cambia, Zipsor, Zorvolex, Dyloject, Pennsaid, Flector, Licart, and Arthrotec (the combination with misoprostol). OTC Voltaren Gel 1% is available at most pharmacies without a prescription for localized joint pain.
FDA-approved uses include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute migraine (Cambia), primary dysmenorrhea (Cataflam), acute musculoskeletal pain, actinic keratosis (Solaraze 3% gel), and postoperative ocular inflammation. Off-label uses include gout flares and other inflammatory pain conditions.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Diclofenac works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, which are responsible for producing prostaglandins — chemical messengers that trigger pain, fever, and inflammation. By reducing prostaglandin production, Diclofenac relieves pain, decreases swelling, and lowers fever.
Diclofenac preferentially inhibits COX-2 over COX-1. COX-2 is primarily active during inflammation and injury, while COX-1 has protective roles in the stomach lining and kidneys. This selectivity gives Diclofenac a somewhat lower GI side effect risk compared to purely non-selective NSAIDs, but also contributes to a higher cardiovascular risk due to reduced prostacyclin production.
Topical formulations (Voltaren Gel, Flector patch) work through the same mechanism but deliver the drug directly to the affected tissue with minimal systemic absorption, significantly reducing whole-body side effects.
25 mg — delayed-release tablet
Lower-dose oral tablet for arthritis
50 mg — delayed-release tablet
Standard oral tablet for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
75 mg — delayed-release tablet
Most common oral dose for arthritis, taken twice daily
100 mg — extended-release tablet
Once-daily extended-release for arthritis maintenance
25 mg — liquid-filled capsule (Zipsor)
Fast-onset capsule for mild to moderate acute pain
18 mg / 35 mg — hard gelatin capsule (Zorvolex)
Lower-dose capsules for acute and chronic pain management
50 mg — oral powder packet (Cambia)
Dissolved in water for acute migraine treatment
1% — topical gel (Voltaren Gel, OTC)
Applied to affected joint for localized OA pain; no Rx required
1.5% / 2% — topical solution (Pennsaid)
Prescription topical for knee osteoarthritis
1.3% — topical patch (Flector/Licart)
Prescription patch for acute localized musculoskeletal pain
Generic oral diclofenac sodium tablets are generally widely available at chain and independent pharmacies across the United States. There is no active FDA or ASHP drug shortage for diclofenac as of 2026. The findability score of 82/100 reflects that generic tablets are broadly accessible, but specialty formulations like Cambia, Zorvolex, Zipsor, and Pennsaid require more effort to locate.
OTC Voltaren Gel 1% is available at virtually all major pharmacies and large retailers without a prescription. Patients with localized joint pain may find this is the most accessible form of diclofenac.
If you are having difficulty finding a specific Diclofenac formulation, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to check which ones have your exact formulation in stock, saving you time and frustration.
Diclofenac is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider without special DEA authorization. A broad range of clinicians regularly prescribe it:
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine, general practitioners)
Rheumatologists (for RA, OA, ankylosing spondylitis)
Orthopedic surgeons (for post-surgical and musculoskeletal pain)
Neurologists (for Cambia migraine formulation)
OB/GYNs (for dysmenorrhea, Cataflam)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Urgent care providers
Since Diclofenac is not a controlled substance, it can also be prescribed via telehealth platforms (Teladoc, MDLive, Sesame, Zocdoc) in most states without requiring an in-person visit — making it convenient for prescription renewals or new patients managing arthritis and other pain conditions remotely.
No. Diclofenac is not a controlled substance. It is not classified under any DEA Schedule (I through V). This means that any licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant can prescribe it without special DEA authorization. Prescriptions can be faxed or transmitted electronically, refills can be called in by phone, and there are no special record-keeping requirements at the pharmacy level.
The absence of controlled substance status also means diclofenac can be prescribed via telehealth without prior in-person visit requirements in most states, making it easy to obtain or renew prescriptions remotely.
Diclofenac carries FDA boxed warnings for cardiovascular risk (heart attack, stroke) and gastrointestinal risk (bleeding, ulceration, perforation). Common side effects include:
Nausea or stomach upset
Heartburn or indigestion
Stomach pain or cramping
Headache or dizziness
Elevated liver enzymes (detected on blood tests)
Fluid retention or swelling
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or stroke symptoms — cardiovascular emergency
Black/tarry stools or vomiting blood — GI bleeding
Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), severe abdominal pain — liver toxicity
Decreased urination, severe swelling — kidney injury
Hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing — severe allergic reaction
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Most pharmacologically similar to diclofenac; preferential COX-2 inhibitor; once-daily dosing; widely available generic at low cost
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Non-selective COX inhibitor; OTC and prescription; widely available; 3-4x daily dosing
Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
OTC and prescription NSAID; longer half-life (twice daily); most favorable cardiovascular risk profile among common NSAIDs
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Selective COX-2 inhibitor; lowest GI bleeding risk; preferred for high-GI-risk patients; generic available
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Non-NSAID analgesic/antipyretic; appropriate when NSAIDs are contraindicated; no anti-inflammatory effect
Prefer Diclofenac? We can find it.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
majorSignificantly increases bleeding risk; requires close INR monitoring if combination is necessary
Other NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)
majorAvoid combination — additive GI, cardiovascular, and renal toxicity with no additional pain benefit
Ketorolac (Toradol)
majorContraindicated combination — pharmacodynamic synergism increases toxicity of both drugs
Methotrexate
majorNSAIDs reduce renal clearance of methotrexate, potentially increasing toxicity; use with caution
ACE inhibitors / ARBs
moderateDiclofenac reduces antihypertensive effect and increases kidney injury risk; monitor BP and renal function
Diuretics
moderateNSAIDs reduce diuretic efficacy and can increase risk of acute kidney injury
Lithium
moderateNSAIDs reduce renal lithium elimination; can cause lithium toxicity; monitor lithium levels
Corticosteroids (prednisone)
moderateCombined use significantly increases GI bleeding risk; consider proton pump inhibitor co-prescription
SSRIs / SNRIs
moderateAntidepressants that affect serotonin combined with NSAIDs increase GI bleeding risk
Alcohol
moderateIncreases GI bleeding and liver toxicity risk; avoid alcohol during Diclofenac therapy
Diclofenac is one of the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs in the world, offering effective relief for arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, migraines, and dysmenorrhea. Generic oral tablets are affordable and widely available. OTC Voltaren Gel 1% provides an accessible option for localized joint pain without a prescription.
As with all NSAIDs, Diclofenac should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration. The FDA boxed warnings for cardiovascular and GI risks are real — discuss your full medical history with your prescriber before starting. Patients on blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, or other NSAIDs require careful monitoring.
If you're having trouble filling your Diclofenac prescription, don't spend hours calling pharmacies. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check real-time availability and texts you the results — a faster, simpler way to get your medication.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini