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Drug

Diclofenac

Established medicine
ClassCyclooxygenase inhibitorResearchOngoing clinical research
Also known as Aleve Arthritis Pain, Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam+18 more

Aleve Arthritis Pain, Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Diclofenac acid, Dyloject, Flector, Licart, Lofena, Pennsaid, Solaraze, Surpass Anti-Inflammatory, Trifena, Voltaren, Xiclo, Zipsor, Zorvolex, Diclofenaco, 2-((2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino)benzeneacetic acid, Diclofenac Potassium, Diclofenac Sodium, Diclofenacum.

RxNorm3355ChEMBLCHEMBL139ATCM01AB55ATCS01BC03ATCD11AX18ATCM01AB05ATCM02AA15UNII144O8QL0L1
11
Active clinical trials
2
Protein targets
2
Regulatory events
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Charge transfer pathways in an indium-MOF-derived In₂O₃-InVO₄-YFeO₃ dual Z-scheme for diclofenac degradation

Industry2026-09-15Nature — Environmental Sciences

Diclofenac Did Not Reduce Chemo-Induced Hand-Foot Syndrome

Industry2026-09-02Medscape Medical News

Pilot Study to Assess the Contribution of UGT2B17 and Associated Genetic Polymorphisms on the Pharmacokinetics of Diclofenac Alone and Upon Co-administration With Curcumin

Clinical trial2026-08-18Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac in water by nanoparticulate Cu2ZnSnX4 (X = S, Se) kesterites with kinetics, transformation products and ecotoxicity

Industry2026-08-18Nature — Environmental Sciences

Proof of Concept: Diclofenac as a KMO Inhibitor in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Clinical trial2026-08-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Randomized Controlled Trial: Alternative Post Procedural Analgesia With NSAIDs vs Opioids in Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy of Elbow

Clinical trial2026-06-30Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Efficacy of Pain Control Following Root Canal Treatment Using Paracetamol Alone and in Combination With Three Different Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics

Clinical trial2026-06-25Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Rectal Indomethacin Versus Diclofenac for Prevention of Post-ERCP Panceratitis (IDPPP2): A Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Control Trial

Clinical trial2026-06-15Results expected Q4 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Optimal Dosing, Tolerability, and Initial Efficacy of Diclofenac as a KMO Inhibitor in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Clinical trial2026-05-31Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Intra-nasal Ketorolac Versus Oral Diclofenac for Acute Ureteral Stent-associated Pain Following Ureteroscopy for Stone Disease

Clinical trial2026-05-27Results expected Q2 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Drug Safety Update: Diclofenac: new contraindications and warnings

Regulatory2014-12-11MHRA

Drug Safety Update: Diclofenac: public consultation on availability as a pharmacy medicine

Regulatory2014-12-11MHRA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Diclofenac
Aliases & brands
Aleve Arthritis PainArthrotecCambiaCataflamDiclofenac acidDylojectFlectorLicartLofenaPennsaidSolarazeSurpass Anti-InflammatoryTrifenaVoltarenXicloZipsorZorvolexDiclofenaco2-((2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino)benzeneacetic acidDiclofenac PotassiumDiclofenac SodiumDiclofenacum
RxNorm CUI
3355
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL139
ATC codes
M01AB55S01BC03D11AX18M01AB05M02AA15
UNII
144O8QL0L1
Primary mechanism
Cyclooxygenase inhibitor
Regulatory jurisdictions
mhra

Pharmacology & targets

2 targets

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2
PTGS2 · P35354
INHIBITORCyclooxygenase inhibitor
Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1
PTGS1 · P23219
INHIBITORCyclooxygenase inhibitor

Regulatory timeline

2 events

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Authorities
MHRA
Total events
2
mhraMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency· 2 events
2014-12-11Safety communicationSafety
Drug Safety Update: Diclofenac: public consultation on availability as a pharmacy medicine
Evidence ↗
2014-12-11Safety communicationSafety
Drug Safety Update: Diclofenac: new contraindications and warnings
Evidence ↗

Contains public sector information from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) licensed under the Open Government Licence (OGL v3).

Clinical trials

167 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
167
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2026
11
Active studies
8
Recruiting
126
Late-stage (III+)
115
Completed
41
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 167
Early Phase 14Phase 118Phase 1 / 23Phase 216Phase 2 / 38Phase 327Phase 455Phase N / A36

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

A Randomized Controlled Trial: Alternative Post Procedural Analgesia With NSAIDs vs Opioids in Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy of Elbow

RecruitingPH IVThe Cleveland Clinicn=922026

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium and Ibuprofen in the Management of Post-Endodontic Pain Following Single-Visit Root Canal Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IVArmed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Pakistann=602026

Comparative Evaluation of Intraligamentary Injection of Dexamethasone, Diclofenac Sodium, and Chymotrypsin for Enhancing the Success of 4% Articaine Buccal Infiltration in Mandibular Molars With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

CompletedPH IVFayoum Universityn=1052026

Effect of Opioids and NSAIDs on Sympathetic Nervous System and Vascular Function in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Osteoarthritis

Unknown statusPH IVUniversity of Zurichn=902025

Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Drugs Administered Using Transdermal Drug Delivery Route Versus Two Oral Tablets in Management of Post-Endodontic Pain

CompletedPH IVNims University Rajasthann=802025

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium and Ibuprofen in the Management of Post-Endodontic Pain Following Single-Visit Root Canal Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IVArmed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Pakistann=602026

Efficacy & Safety of Piroxicam Plus Counterirritant Gel Compared With Other Topical Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Managing Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Study

CompletedPH IIITaisho Pharmaceutical Indonesian=1802026

Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block Versus External Oblique Intercostal Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Open Radical Nephrectomy: A Randomised Controlled Trial

CompletedN/AHacettepe Universityn=982026

Comparative Study Between the Efficacy of Pre- Operative Oral Gabapentin Versus Diclofenac Sodium in Post-operative Analgesia in Adult Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

CompletedN/ASohag Universityn=602026

Comparative Evaluation of Intraligamentary Injection of Dexamethasone, Diclofenac Sodium, and Chymotrypsin for Enhancing the Success of 4% Articaine Buccal Infiltration in Mandibular Molars With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

CompletedPH IVFayoum Universityn=1052026

Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Drugs Administered Using Transdermal Drug Delivery Route Versus Two Oral Tablets in Management of Post-Endodontic Pain

CompletedPH IVNims University Rajasthann=802025
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials
  • Regulatory event sources are credited in the Regulatory Timeline above.