According to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine," Cataflam is a brand-name prescription drug marketed by the pharmaceutical company Novartis that was approved in 1993 by the FDA to treat pain associated with arthritis and dysmenorrhea. The active ingredient in Cataflam is diclofenac potassium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, according to RxList.com. Drugs.com notes that Cataflam is formulated as round, light brown, immediate-release pills equivalent to 50 mg of diclofenac for oral use. In addition to the active ingredient of diclofenac, Cataflam also contains numerous inactive ingredients.
Diclofenac Potassium
According to DrugLib.com, diclofenac is a benzeneacetic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, diclofenac is recommended for the symptoms of inflammation, mild to moderate pain, and fever. The mechanism of action of diclofenac, like that of all non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, is not well understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.
Binders and Fillers
According to Daily Med, Cataflam contains six inactive ingredients that can generally be called binders or fillers: microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, maize starch, sodium starch glycolate, sucrose and calcium phosphate. Binders keep all the ingredients intact and ensure that the pills can be pressed together during the compounding process. According to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine," the cellulose and phosphate compounds also act as fillers, which make the pill bigger, making it practical for manufacturing and easy for the consumer to handle and use. Fillers are inert, compatible, water soluble, cheap, colorless and tasteless.
Disintegrants
The starch compounds mentioned in Section 2 also act as disintegrants, which, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine," expand and dissolve when wet, causing the pill to disintegrate in the lower intestines, releasing diclofenac for absorption and action.
Dispersers
Cataflam also contains povidone, which functions as a filler and a dispersing agent for the active ingredient diclofenac. Povidone is a white powder readily soluble in water and used as a dispersing and suspending/emulsifying agent in pharmaceutical pills, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine."
Lubricators
Magnesium stearate is another inactive ingredient in Cataflam, and it acts as both a lubricant and stabilizer in the compounding process of pill manufacturing, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine." Talc is another ingredient meant for lubrication. Lubricants assist with the flow of ingredients through the production line and help prevent them from sticking to the manufacturing equipment. Colloidal silicon dioxide (silica) is a common food additive and also in Cataflam, and it acts as a lubricating “flow agent” and an absorber of water, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine."
Coloring
All Cataflam 50 mg pills contain iron oxide, giving them the characteristic dull, light brown appearance, according to Daily Med. Titanium dioxide is another ingredient used for coloring because of its ability to provide brightness, shine and opacity to many pharmaceutical pills.
References
- “Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine”; G. Nahler et al; 2009
- Drugs.com: Cataflam
- RxList.com: Cataflam / diclofenac potassium
- DrugLib: Cataflam / Diclofenac
- DailyMed: Cataflam Ingredients
