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What Is ARTHROTEC How It Works When to Prescribe
ARTHROTEC reduces pain and inflammation, and replenishes prostaglandins produced by the COX-1 enzyme.
 
The information contained in this section is intended only for use by healthcare professionals in the United States.
 
ABOUT ARTHROTEC
How It Works

ARTHROTEC® (diclofenac sodium/misoprostol) is an effective treatment for OA and RA patients at risk of developing NSAID-induced GI ulcers and their complications.


1. Immediate Misoprostol Protection
Right from the start, misoprostol is released, replenishing GI-protective prostaglandins produced by the COX-1 enzyme that the NSAID component depletes.
2. Diclofenac Relief
Diclofenac dissolves into the intestines, reducing stomach irritation while delivering effective relief of pain and inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandins produced by COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.
3. Enteric Coating
The enteric coating of ARTHROTEC delays the release of diclofenac until misoprostol’s protective properties have taken effect.
ARTHROTEC is contraindicated in women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. ARTHROTEC can cause miscarriage, often associated with bleeding, which may result in other serious complications.

NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or its risk factors may be at greater risk.

ARTHROTEC is contraindicated for treatment of peri-operative pain in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events.

ARTHROTEC is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to diclofenac or to misoprostol or other prostaglandins and in patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to diclofenac sodium have been reported.

Long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury. Administration of NSAIDs may cause a dose dependent reduction in prostaglandin formation. Elevations in ALT and/or AST, and rare cases of severe hepatic reactions have also been reported. Transaminases should be monitored within 4-8 weeks after initiating treatment with diclofenac and should be measured periodically in patients receiving long-term therapy.

NSAIDs can cause serious skin adverse events such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis which can be fatal.

The most common adverse events in ARTHROTEC-treated patients are abdominal pain (21%), diarrhea (19%), dyspepsia (14%), nausea (11%), and flatulence (9%), which can occur more frequently than with diclofenac alone.
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This product information is intended only for residents of the United States.
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