E-DRUG: Diclofenac and the WHO Essential Medicines List
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Friends at E-drug,
I am interested in knowing as to why diclofenac has not been included in the list of Essential Medicines by WHO. Any substantial reason for it?
Again why is that standard text books of pharmacology do not mention about its intramuscular route of administration. I find that in India it is most routinely used.
[Please note that the WHO EML has one NSAID (and the most safe one ibuprofen) as the model substance. Each country is free to decide what they prefer. Diclofenac does not have the best risk/safety profile:
http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/human/opiniongen/nsaids.pdf
http://www.npc.co.uk/ebt/merec/pain/musculo/merec_monthly_no2.htm
http://www.npc.co.uk/ebt/merec/cardio/cdrisk/merec_extra_no30.htm
Diclofenac can give serious hypersensitivity reactions; they are more serious when drugs are injected - and injections are expensive. Hence im injections is not a good idea. Moderator]
From
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