Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by The Health Master
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), which is the National Coordination Centre (NCC) for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), has flagged a drug safety alert revealing that diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which is used to treat pain and inflammatory diseases, is linked with skin hyperpigmentation.
This came to light after the preliminary analysis of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from the PvPI database.
Diclofenac is indicated for the treatment of:
- Rheumatoid arthritis,
- Osteoarthritis,
- Ankylosing spondylitis,
- Gout,
- Painful post-operative pain following dental surgery,
- Migraine attacks,
- Post-operative inflammation in patients who have undergone cataract surgery.
Diclofenac inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, the enzymes responsible for the production of prostaglandin (PG) G2 which is the precursor to other PGs. PGs are responsible for pain and inflammation, and the inhibition of their production is the common mechanism linking each effect of diclofenac.
As per the drug safety alert issued by IPC on November 30, 2021, diclofenac is associated with skin hyperpigmentation, which appears as darkened patches or spots on the skin that make the skin look uneven.
Healthcare professionals and patients have been advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above ADR associated with the use of diclofenac. If such a reaction is encountered, it needs to be reported to the NCC-PvPI for suitable action.
IPC had earlier also flagged drug safety alerts revealing that dimethyl fumarate, which is indicated for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, is associated with adverse drug reaction alopecia while cefazolin, a cephalosporin antibiotic, is linked with acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
Besides this, it had earlier also flagged drug safety alerts revealing that clobazam, baclofen and rosuvastatin and ticagrelor interactions are associated with risks like DRESS syndrome, encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis respectively.
IPC had also flagged drug safety alerts against etoricoxib, torsemide, and quetiapine & valproic acid interactions, sofosbuvir, clobazam, baclofen, and rosuvastatin and ticagrelor interactions.
The CDSCO started PvPI in July 2010 across the country. Since then, IPC has been mandated to establish clinical evidence linking the drug and the ADR event through a robust system of causality assessment.
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