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The Effects of Cataflam

Aug 13, 2010 | By Aironius French

Cataflam is a branded prescription drug that is marketed by the pharmaceutical company, Novartis. The medicinal ingredient in Cataflam is diclofenac potassium, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1993 to treat pain associated with arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, according to Drugs.com. RxList.com adds that diclofenac is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, and in generic form, is also used to treat migraine headaches and menstrual cramps. The use of Cataflam can produce positive symptomatic relief as well as negative side effects.

Symptomatic Relief

Diclofenac potassium is a benzene-acetic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory and mild anti-pyretic properties. The mechanism of action of diclofenac, like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, is not completely known, but may be related to reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body, such as inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase, as noted on DailyMed. Consequently, diclofenac is recommended for conditions that involve inflammation, mild to moderate pain and mild fever.

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

According to DrugLib.com, in a clinical trial of 718 patients treated for two weeks or less with Cataflam, adverse reactions were reported 10 to 50 percent less frequently as compared to patients treated for longer periods. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding and perforation, heartburn, nausea, gastric/duodenal ulcers and vomiting. DailyMed adds that all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as diclofenac, can cause serious gastrointestinal side effects of the stomach, small intestine, large intestine and bowel. People with stomach and intestinal ulcers and the elderly should not use Cataflam.

Cardiovascular Side Effects

DrugLib also notes that clinical trials of up to three years duration of many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, including diclofenac, showed increased risks of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as thrombotic events, heart attack due to infarction, stroke and hypertension. Thrombotic events occur when plaque within blood vessels break loose and become caught within smaller vessels, causing blockages. Some serious cardiovascular events occurred within 10 to 14 days of the drugs use.

Kidney Side Effects

"Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs" claims that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, including diclofenac, beyond six months duration has resulted in kidney failure due to papillary necrosis and other kidney injuries. Kidney toxicity has also been cited in chronic Cataflam users. DrugLib adds that in a six-month, double-blind trial comparing Cataflam, Voltaren and ibuprofen, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and kidney side effects were similar in nature and frequency.

Liver Side Effects

Abnormal renal function, anemia, edema and elevated liver enzymes may all occur during Cataflam use, according to DailyMed. In clinical trials of diclofenac, meaningful elevation of liver AST enzymes occurred in about two percent of about 5,700 patients observed. DrugLib adds that other controlled trials found 4 percent of patients experienced elevated liver ALT enzymes. In post-marketing reports from users, severe liver reactions were noted, including liver necrosis, jaundice, hepatitis and liver failure. Some of these reported cases of Cataflam liver side effects resulted in death.

References

Article reviewed by Libby Swope Wiersema Last updated on: Aug 13, 2010

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