Motifine is diclofenac sodium 75 mg in a capsule — an anti-inflammatory painkiller for back pain, joint pain, arthritis, period pain, gout and pain after injury. Diclofenac is among the more potent anti-inflammatories available, and its cautions are correspondingly more important than those of milder painkillers.

What is Motifine?

The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Motifine as a Schedule 2 capsule containing diclofenac sodium 75 mg.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). It blocks the COX enzymes that produce prostaglandins — the chemicals responsible for pain, swelling and fever where tissue is injured or inflamed. It works at the site of the problem rather than dulling perception centrally, which is why it suits inflammatory pain far better than paracetamol does.

75 mg is a substantial dose. Over-the-counter diclofenac is usually 12.5 or 25 mg; 50 mg is a common prescription tablet. A 75 mg capsule is typically a modified- or sustained-release form taken once or twice daily, designed to give steadier cover through the day rather than peaks and troughs. Check your own pack — if it says modified or sustained release, it must be swallowed whole and not opened, crushed or chewed, or the whole dose is released at once.

Schedule 2 means it is available from a pharmacist without a prescription, but from behind the counter. That is not a formality at this strength: diclofenac at 75 mg daily carries meaningful stomach, kidney and cardiovascular considerations, and the pharmacist’s involvement is the point.

Diclofenac is sold under many South African names — Voltaren, Panamor, K-Fenak, Dicloflam, Adco-Clofelam, Motifine. Same active ingredient, different manufacturers.

A note on potency and risk. Diclofenac is highly effective — often more so than ibuprofen for inflammatory pain — but among the common anti-inflammatories it carries one of the higher cardiovascular risk profiles, comparable to the coxibs. Several countries have tightened its availability for this reason. This does not make it unsafe for short-term use in a healthy person, but it does mean it is not the anti-inflammatory to reach for casually, or to take continuously for months without review.

What is Motifine commonly used for?

Back and neck pain, particularly with muscle spasm or inflammation.
Osteoarthritis — knees, hips, hands and spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint disease, for pain and stiffness.
Acute gout, where it is very effective.
Sprains, strains and sports injuries, where swelling matters as well as pain.
Period pain, where anti-inflammatories work particularly well because prostaglandins drive the cramping directly.
Dental pain, as short-term relief while awaiting treatment.
Post-operative pain, and pain after injury.
Frozen shoulder, tendonitis and bursitis.

It is intended for short courses at this strength. 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. It delivers 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 Motifine fits into this medicine category

Group	Examples	Notes
NSAIDs	Diclofenac (Motifine), ibuprofen, naproxen	Pain, fever, inflammation; stomach, kidney, heart cautions
COX-2 selective	Celecoxib, etoricoxib	Gentler on the stomach; cardiovascular caution
Simple analgesics	Paracetamol (Donapan)	Pain and fever; no anti-inflammatory effect; safest
NSAID + paracetamol	Mypaid Forte	Two mechanisms, no opioid
Opioid combinations	Tramadol/paracetamol	Stronger; dependence risk
Corticosteroids	Prednisone	Powerful anti-inflammatory, in courses
Topical NSAIDs	Diclofenac gel	Local effect, far lower risk

See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.

What to check before using Motifine

Do not take another anti-inflammatory alongside it. No ibuprofen, naproxen, mefenamic acid, or aspirin at painkilling doses — and check cold and flu products, which sometimes contain one. Doubling NSAIDs multiplies stomach and kidney risk without improving relief.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor before using it if you:

Have or have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis, or bleeding in the gut. This is 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. NSAIDs raise it and undermine blood pressure treatment.
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, methotrexate or ciclosporin.
Are pregnant, particularly after 20 weeks — NSAIDs are avoided — or breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.
Are buying it for a child.

Practical points:

Take it with or just after food.
Swallow modified-release capsules whole.
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 — dehydration plus an NSAID is hard on the kidneys.
Ask about stomach protection if you need it for more than a short course, or have any ulcer risk. A proton pump inhibitor alongside substantially reduces that risk.

Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor

Common effects: indigestion, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache and dizziness. Taking each dose 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 — face drooping, arm weakness, difficulty speaking.
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 that does not settle. Do not simply take an antacid and continue — an ulcer can bleed without warning.
Reduced urine output, swollen ankles, or unusual tiredness.
A rash or itching.
Bruising or bleeding more easily.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
A rise in blood pressure readings.

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 the pain is severe, worsening, or comes with fever, weight loss, numbness, weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control. Those need assessment, not a stronger painkiller.

One point worth emphasising: stomach damage from anti-inflammatories often causes no warning symptoms until it bleeds. If you have any ulcer risk and need diclofenac for more than a short course, ask about taking a stomach-protecting medicine with it. That combination is standard practice and substantially reduces the risk.

Related medicine guides

Frequently asked questions

What are Motifine pills used for? Back and joint pain, arthritis, gout, sprains, period pain, dental pain and pain after injury. They contain diclofenac sodium 75 mg, an anti-inflammatory.

Is 75 mg a strong dose? Yes, relatively. Over-the-counter diclofenac is usually 12.5 or 25 mg. A 75 mg capsule is typically modified-release, taken once or twice daily.

Can I open or crush the capsule? Not if it is modified or sustained release — check your pack. Opening it releases the whole dose at once.

Is Motifine the same as Voltaren or Panamor? All contain diclofenac. Different manufacturers, same active ingredient.

Can I take it with ibuprofen? No. Both are anti-inflammatories, and combining them multiplies stomach and kidney risk without improving pain relief.

Is it stronger than ibuprofen? Often more effective for inflammatory pain — but it also carries one of the higher cardiovascular risk profiles among the common anti-inflammatories.

Can I take it in pregnancy? Ask your doctor. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly after 20 weeks; paracetamol is preferred.

Should I take something to protect my stomach? If you have any ulcer risk or need it beyond a short course, ask about it. Adding a proton pump inhibitor is standard practice and substantially reduces the risk.

What Is Motifine Used For?