85/100 · Critical
Manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited
High Serious Reaction Rate for Topical DICLOFENAC SODIUM
323,576 FDA adverse event reports analyzed
Last updated: 2026-05-12
DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited. Based on analysis of 323,576 FDA adverse event reports, DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, PAIN, FATIGUE, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL.
Diclofenac Sodium Topical has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 323,576 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited.
The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Pain, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 78.7% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High percentage of serious reactions (78.7%) indicates significant safety concerns.
A wide range of reactions, including serious conditions like pericarditis and liver injury, are reported. Report volume is substantial, with over 323,000 reports, providing a comprehensive dataset for analysis.
Patients taking Diclofenac Sodium Topical should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.
Diclofenac Sodium Topical received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 78.7% serious event ratio across 33,607 classified reports. The score accounts for 323,576 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.
Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 21,484, Male: 7,805, Unknown: 39. The most frequently reported age groups are age 43 (1,907 reports), age 44 (1,734 reports), age 40 (1,045 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.
Out of 33,607 classified reports for DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL:
The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.
Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.
DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding.
If you are taking Diclofenac Sodium Topical, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, pain, fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, abdominal discomfort. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Follow prescribed usage instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The FDA continues to monitor the safety of DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL and has not issued any specific warnings or recalls based on this data.
The FDA has received approximately 323,576 adverse event reports associated with Diclofenac Sodium Topical. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.
The most frequently reported adverse events for Diclofenac Sodium Topical include Drug Ineffective, Pain, Fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Abdominal Discomfort. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (7,366 reports), Pain (7,115 reports), Fatigue (6,725 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Diclofenac Sodium Topical.
Out of 33,607 classified reports, 26,437 (78.7%) were classified as serious and 7,170 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.
Adverse event reports for Diclofenac Sodium Topical break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 21,484, Male: 7,805, Unknown: 39. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.
The most frequently reported age groups for Diclofenac Sodium Topical adverse events are: age 43: 1,907 reports, age 44: 1,734 reports, age 40: 1,045 reports, age 59: 666 reports, age 58: 442 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.
The primary manufacturer associated with Diclofenac Sodium Topical adverse event reports is Aurobindo Pharma Limited. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.
Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Diclofenac Sodium Topical include: Rash, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Alopecia, Pemphigus, Glossodynia. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.
You can report adverse events from Diclofenac Sodium Topical to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.
Diclofenac Sodium Topical has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High percentage of serious reactions (78.7%) indicates significant safety concerns.
Key safety signals identified in Diclofenac Sodium Topical's adverse event data include: Systemic lupus erythematosus and alopecia are reported in multiple cases.. Multiple cases of pericarditis and liver injury suggest potential organ toxicity.. High incidence of gastrointestinal issues, including ulcer perforation and dyspepsia.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.
DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Diclofenac Sodium Topical.
Follow prescribed usage instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately.
Diclofenac Sodium Topical has 323,576 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A wide range of reactions, including serious conditions like pericarditis and liver injury, are reported. The volume of reports for Diclofenac Sodium Topical reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.
The FDA continues to monitor the safety of DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL and has not issued any specific warnings or recalls based on this data. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.
Explore other medications manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited and compare their safety profiles:
The following drugs share commonly reported adverse reactions with DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL:
Drugs related to DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications: