Drug interactions
Diclofenac + Sertraline
Severity: Moderate
Diclofenac and Sertraline: 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
Taking an SSRI with an NSAID increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared with either drug alone. Older patients and those with prior ulcers are at greatest risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diclofenac and Sertraline 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; Sertraline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
SSRI-induced platelet serotonin depletion combines with NSAID platelet inhibition and gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Avoid long-term combination where possible; add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients and advise reporting melena or hematemesis.
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 Diclofenac
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Diclofenac Major
- Acemetacin + Diclofenac Major
- Alteplase + Diclofenac Major
- Amiloride + Diclofenac Major
Other interactions of Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diclofenac with Sertraline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diclofenac and Sertraline 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. Taking an SSRI with an NSAID increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared with either drug alone. Older patients and those with prior ulcers are at greatest risk.
How serious is the interaction between Diclofenac and Sertraline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid long-term combination where possible; add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients and advise reporting melena or hematemesis.
What other medicines interact with Diclofenac?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diclofenac with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Diclofenac page.
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