Difunisal@( * ) Anti-inflammatory agent
Drug Name:
Difunisal@( * ) Anti-inflammatory agent
List Of Brands:
Indication Type Description:
Pharmacology/ Pharmacokinetics
Drug Interaction:
Interacting drugs - summary
Difunisal + Acetaminophen increased acetaminophen plasma levels. Acetoaminophen had no effect on difunisal plasma levels
Anticoagulants oral incr co-admin of difunisal increase hypoprothrombin effects of anticoagulants. Monitor prothrombin times for several days after co-administration
Hydrochlorthiazide coadmin of difunisal resulted in increased plasma levels of hydrochlorothiazide
Indomethicin admin of difunisal decreased renal clearance of and increased plasma levels of indomethicin. Combined use has also been to be associated with fatal GI haemorrhage
Sulindac Admin of diflunisal resulted in lowering of the active sulindac sulfide metabolite.
Indication:
long term treatment of mild to moderate pain.
Adverse Reaction:
Nausea, dyspepsia, GI pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, flatulance, peptic ulcer, GI bleeding/perforation, anorexia, eructation
. Headache,dizziness, somnolence, insomnia, vertigo, nervousness, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, lightheadedness.
Fatigue/tirednessness edema,thrombosis. Dyspnea,muscle cramps, palpitations, syncope, chest pain.
Contra-Indications:
Hypersens to the drug. Patients in whom acute asthmatic urticaria or rhinitis are precipitated by aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs.
Special precautions:
Platelet function and bleeding time are inhibited at higher doses. Perform opthalmological studies in patients who develop eye complaints during treatment.
Use in patients with compromised cardiac function. Possiblitity of association with Reye's syndrome cannot be excluded.
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indications:
long term treatment of mild to moderate pain.
Dosage:
Mild to moderate pain- Initially 1 g followed by 500 mg every 8 to 12 hours. A lower dosage may be appropiate- 500 mg initially,followed by 250 mg every 8 to 12 hours Osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis- 500 mg to 1 g daily in 2 divided doses.
Do not exceed maintenance doses higher than 1.5 g daily.
Patient Information:
1. May cause GI upset,may be taken with water,milk or meals.
2. Do not take aspirin or acetoaminophen with difunisal,except on doctors advise.
Pharmacology/ Pharmacokinetics:
Pharmacology:
Difunisal is a salicylic acid derivative. It is a nonsteroidal peripherally acting nonnarcotic analgesic with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It differs from aspirin and metabolised to salicylic acid.Difunisal is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor.
Pharmacokinetics:
Difunisal is rapidly and completely absorbed following oral administration,peak plasma concentrations occur between 2 to 3 hours. The plasma half-life of difunisal is 8 to 12 hours.
Interaction with Food:
Not significant
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy:
Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. Use with caution only when potential benefits outweigh potential hazards.
Lactation:
Difunisal is excreted in breast milk . Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, discontinue either nursing or the drug.
