Diclofenac, Ophthalmic
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Diclofenac, Ophthalmic in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Diclofenac, Ophthalmic for pets
(dye-kloe-fen-ak)
Description:
This medicine is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent (a type of medicine used to reduce swelling and irritation).
Other Names for this Medication:
- Voltaren®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: there is a topical cream made for horses, but it must not be put in the eye.
- For people: an eye-drop liquid (0.1% ophthalmic solution) comes in 2.5 mL and 5 mL dropper bottles.
This handout does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you still have questions or need more details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information
- This medicine is most often given 2 to 4 times per day to help lower eye inflammation.
- The drops may have an odor similar to castor oil; this is not a problem.
- Putting the drops in the eye can cause a burning or stinging feeling. This medicine may also raise the chance of bleeding.
- Use correct dosing and handling steps so the medicine does not get contaminated. Keep the cap firmly closed whenever you are not using it.
- After giving this medicine, wait 5 minutes before putting any other medicine into the eye.
- Keep at room temperature and protect from moisture and sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not use the product if the color changes, if it turns cloudy, or if you can see particles floating in it.
How is this medication useful?
Diclofenac is used to reduce inflammation in the eye (for example, after cataract surgery). It works by blocking substances called prostaglandins, which are involved in causing inflammation. This medicine has approved use in people and animals. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Some medicines can affect how this one works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including other eye medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal products. Include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your pet has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had the same illness or problem in the past, tell your veterinarian what was used before and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Also tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your animal has ever had side effects from medicines before (for example: allergic reactions, poor appetite, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss).
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should expect this medicine to start helping your animal feel better within 1 to 2 hours. After that, you should see improvement in your animal’s signs. The effects last a moderate amount of time, which means they may continue for a few days.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
If your animal fits any of the situations listed below, speak with your veterinarian about the risks of using this medicine compared with the benefits it may provide.
- Do not use in animals that have an allergy to this medicine or to similar medicines.
- Use carefully in animals that have problems with bleeding, or that are taking other medicines that reduce blood clotting (for example: aspirin, heparin, clopidogrel).
- Use carefully in animals that are likely to get stomach ulcers.
- Use carefully in animals that have dry eye syndrome (not enough natural tears).
- Use carefully in animals with asthma, because preservatives (sulfites) may set off an asthma attack.
- Use carefully in animals with eye injuries, because medicines in this group may slow healing.
What are the side effects of Diclofenac, Ophthalmic?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
If any of the signs below are strong, get worse, or keep happening, contact your veterinarian.
- Mild burning, stinging, irritation, or redness in the eyes.
- People have reported headaches and a sensation like something is in the eye while using this medicine.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Trouble breathing or swelling in the throat, which may mean a severe allergic reaction.
- A skin rash.
- Bleeding inside the eye.
- Not wanting to eat or vomiting.
- Discomfort in bright light.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
When this is used as eye drops, giving too much is not expected, but side effects or toxic effects could happen if your animal swallows the medicine. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian right away for instructions. A consultation fee may be charged.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian directed. It is helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Put this medicine into your animal’s eye in the exact amount your veterinarian prescribed.
- Clean your hands before you give the eye medicine.
- Do not let the tip of the dropper touch anything, including your animal’s eye, to help prevent contamination.
- If any medicine remains on the fur or skin around the face after dosing, softly wipe it away using a damp tissue or cloth.
- If you need to give more than one eye medicine, wait 5 minutes between products before giving the next one. Give eye drops before eye ointments so the drops can soak in.
- If your horse is receiving this as an eye solution, your veterinarian may have placed a special eye catheter (subpalpebral lavage or SPL catheter).
- Use that catheter only as your veterinarian instructed, and after you inject the medicine into the catheter, use only air to flush the medicine to the eye.
- If you are struggling to apply the medicine, or if your animal resists treatment, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to give it and how to reduce stress during dosing.
This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before treatment is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, do not give the missed one; instead, give the next dose at the normal time. Then continue with the usual schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in another approved container used to organize doses. Store at room temperature and keep it protected from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date that come with that product.
- Store where children and animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling warnings are listed for this medicine unless you are allergic to it or to similar medicines (for example, bromfenac). Even so, it is recommended that you wash your hands after touching any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into a sink and do not flush it in a toilet. If your area has a medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is less appealing to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering a competition while your animal is receiving it.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
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