Dicloflam is diclofenac sodium 50 mg in an effervescent tablet dissolved in water — an anti-inflammatory for back pain, joint pain, period pain, dental pain, gout and pain after injury. Dissolving it makes it act faster than a swallowed tablet, and it means the dose carries a notable amount of sodium.
What is Dicloflam?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Dicloflam and Dicloflam Blackcurrant as effervescent tablets containing diclofenac sodium 50 mg, scheduled S2 and S3 depending on the pack.
Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) — among the more potent available. It blocks the COX enzymes that produce prostaglandins, the chemicals responsible for pain, swelling and fever at the site of injury or inflammation. It works where the problem is, which is why it suits inflammatory pain far better than paracetamol.
Why the effervescent form matters, in both directions.
It works faster. The tablet is already dissolved when you drink it, so absorption begins immediately rather than waiting for a tablet to break down in the stomach. Peak levels arrive noticeably sooner — useful for acute pain such as a gout attack, renal colic or a badly wrenched back.
It carries a substantial sodium load. The fizz comes from sodium bicarbonate and citrate, and an effervescent tablet typically contains several hundred milligrams of sodium — considerably more than an ordinary tablet. This matters if you have high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease, or are on a low-sodium diet, and it is the point most often missed about effervescent medicines generally.
It is easier for people who struggle to swallow tablets, which is a genuine advantage.
Schedule 2 and 3 mean pharmacy supply without a prescription, from behind the counter. At 50 mg that is not a formality — diclofenac carries meaningful stomach, kidney and cardiovascular considerations.
A note on diclofenac specifically. It is highly effective, often more so than ibuprofen for inflammatory pain — but among common anti-inflammatories it carries one of the higher cardiovascular risk profiles, comparable to the coxibs. Several countries have tightened its availability for that reason. That does not make short-term use in a healthy person unsafe, but it is not the anti-inflammatory to take casually or continuously for months.
What is Dicloflam commonly used for?
- Acute back and neck pain, particularly with muscle spasm — a very common use for the effervescent form.
- Period pain, where anti-inflammatories work particularly well because prostaglandins drive the cramping directly.
- Acute gout, where speed of onset genuinely matters.
- Dental pain and toothache, as short-term relief while awaiting treatment.
- Sprains, strains and sports injuries, where swelling matters as well as pain.
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis flares.
- Renal colic, where diclofenac is genuinely effective.
- Migraine, in some use, where fast absorption helps.
- Post-operative pain.
It is for short courses. Pain persisting beyond a week or two needs a cause identified rather than continued suppression — and regular painkiller use for headache can itself cause medication-overuse headache.
For a single painful joint or muscle, a diclofenac gel is often the better choice, delivering the medicine locally with a small fraction of the whole-body exposure and therefore a small fraction of the stomach, kidney and heart risk. This is genuinely underused.
How Dicloflam fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Diclofenac (Dicloflam), ibuprofen, naproxen | Pain, fever, inflammation; stomach, kidney, heart cautions |
| Oxicams | Meloxicam, lornoxicam | Longer acting; once or twice daily |
| COX-2 selective | Celecoxib, etoricoxib | Gentler on the stomach; cardiovascular caution |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever; no anti-inflammatory effect; safest |
| Opioid combinations | Tramadol/paracetamol | Stronger; dependence risk |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, in courses |
| Topical NSAIDs | Diclofenac gel | Local effect, far lower risk |
Diclofenac is also sold as Voltaren, Panamor, K-Fenak, Motifine and Adco-Clofelam. Same active ingredient, different manufacturers and formulations.
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Dicloflam
Check the sodium if it matters for you. Effervescent tablets carry considerably more sodium than ordinary ones, and taking several a day adds up. If you have high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease or are on a low-sodium diet, ask a pharmacist for a non-effervescent form.
Do not take another anti-inflammatory alongside it — no ibuprofen, naproxen, mefenamic acid or aspirin at painkilling doses, and check any cold and flu products.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor before using it if you:
- Have or have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis, or bleeding in the gut. The most important check.
- Have established heart disease, have had a heart attack or stroke, or have heart failure. Diclofenac is generally avoided in these.
- Have high blood pressure.
- Have kidney disease or liver disease.
- Have asthma. Anti-inflammatories trigger severe attacks in a minority of asthmatics.
- Are over 65, where stomach, kidney and cardiovascular risks all rise substantially.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease.
- Take warfarin or another blood thinner, low-dose aspirin, steroids, an SSRI antidepressant, an ACE inhibitor, ARB or diuretic, lithium or methotrexate.
- Are pregnant, particularly after 20 weeks — NSAIDs are avoided — or breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.
- Are buying it for a child.
Practical points:
- Dissolve the tablet fully in a glass of water and drink it all.
- Take it with or just after food.
- Follow the pack instructions for how much and how often. This page does not set doses.
- Use it for a few days to a week or two, not indefinitely.
- Drink enough fluid, particularly in hot weather or during illness.
- Ask about stomach protection if you need it beyond a short course or have any ulcer risk.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects: indigestion, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache and dizziness. Taking it with food helps considerably.
Get emergency help for:
- Vomiting blood, or material like coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of a stroke.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- A widespread blistering or peeling rash.
Seek prompt advice for:
- Wheezing or worsening asthma after taking it.
- Persistent indigestion or stomach pain. Do not just take an antacid and continue — an ulcer can bleed without warning.
- Reduced urine output, swollen ankles, or unusual tiredness.
- A rise in blood pressure readings.
- A rash or itching.
- Bruising or bleeding more easily.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Contact your doctor if pain is not controlled, if you need it for more than a week or two, if you find yourself taking it most days, or if pain comes with fever, weight loss, numbness, weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control. Those need assessment, not a stronger painkiller.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Dicloflam tablets used for? Back and joint pain, period pain, dental pain, gout, sprains and pain after injury. Each effervescent tablet contains diclofenac sodium 50 mg.
Why is it effervescent? Dissolving the tablet means absorption starts immediately, so it acts faster than a swallowed tablet. It also suits people who struggle to swallow tablets.
Does it contain a lot of salt? Yes, relative to an ordinary tablet — the fizz comes from sodium salts. Ask for a non-effervescent form if you have high blood pressure, heart failure or kidney disease.
Is Dicloflam the same as Voltaren? Both contain diclofenac. Different manufacturers and formulations.
Can I take it with ibuprofen? No. Both are anti-inflammatories, and combining them multiplies stomach and kidney risk without improving relief.
Is it stronger than ibuprofen? Often more effective for inflammatory pain — but it carries one of the higher cardiovascular risk profiles among common anti-inflammatories.
Can I take it in pregnancy? Ask your doctor. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly after 20 weeks; paracetamol is preferred.
Do I need a prescription? No — the packs are Schedule 2 or 3, available from a pharmacy. At 50 mg the pharmacist’s involvement matters.