Drug interactions
Diclofenac + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Diclofenac and Prednisone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Combining a corticosteroid with a nonselective NSAID substantially increases the risk of peptic ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. Fluid retention and raised blood pressure may also be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diclofenac and Prednisone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Diclofenac belongs to Musculoskeletal; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Corticosteroids impair mucosal repair while NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin-mediated mucosal protection, giving additive GI injury.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time and add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Report melena or epigastric pain promptly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Diclofenac
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Diclofenac Major
- Acemetacin + Diclofenac Major
- Alteplase + Diclofenac Major
- Amiloride + Diclofenac Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diclofenac with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diclofenac and Prednisone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Combining a corticosteroid with a nonselective NSAID substantially increases the risk of peptic ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. Fluid retention and raised blood pressure may also be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Diclofenac and Prednisone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time and add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Report melena or epigastric pain promptly.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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