Review on Diclofenac Toxicities in Different Organs

Abstract

Introduction: Diclofenac is an over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID) that works through non-selective inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, thereby inhibiting the release of prostaglandins. Known for its efficacy in alleviatinginflammation, pain, and fever symptoms, concerns have arisen regarding the potential toxicity ofDiclofenac. Its toxicity can cause a wide variety of adverse effects, ranging from self-limitingside effects that disappear after treatment cessation to an increased risk of death due tocardiovascular diseases and strokes. Determining the threshold dose that distinguishes betweenmild, self-limiting side effects and more severe adverse effects poses a major challenge indiclofenac toxicity research. Method: This article reviewed various doses and different organtoxicities observed in animal and human studies using diclofenac. Aim: Our objective is todefine the toxicities in fourteen organs and organize them into different categories as animaltoxicities, human toxicities, and teratogenicity through pathological changes. Conclusion: Bysearching different databases and collecting the observed toxicities, we have concluded that theprimary affected organs are the stomach, liver, and kidney. However, there is limited knowledgeon the toxic effects on the brain, heart, lungs, spleen, eye, bone, bone marrow and blood, andtestes, while rare available data for the pancreas, bladder, skin, muscle,