What is aceclofenac?

Analgésiques anti-inflammatoires like aceclofenac are also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or sometimes just 'anti-inflammatories'. Aceclofenac is prescribed for people with painful rheumatic conditions such as l'arthrose, polyarthrite rhumatoïde et spondylarthrite ankylosante. It eases pain and reduces inflammation.

Aceclofenac works by blocking the effect of natural substances called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These enzymes help to make other chemicals in the body, called prostaglandins. Some prostaglandins are produced at sites of injury or damage, and cause pain and inflammation. By blocking the effect of COX enzymes, fewer prostaglandins are produced, which means pain and inflammation are eased.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking aceclofenac, it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other NSAID (such as aspirin, naproxen, diclofenac, and indometacin), or to any other medicine.

• If you have ever had a problem with stomach or duodenal bleeding, such as if you have had an ulcer.

• Si vous avez de l'asthme ou tout autre trouble allergique.

• Si vous avez une maladie cardiaque, ou un problème avec vos vaisseaux sanguins ou votre circulation.

• Si vous êtes enceinte, essayez d'avoir un bébé, ou allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie, ou si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• Si vous avez de l'hypertension.

• Si vous avez déjà eu des problèmes de coagulation sanguine.

• Si vous avez un trouble inflammatoire de l'intestin tel que la maladie de Crohn ou la colite ulcéreuse.

• Si vous avez un trouble du tissu conjonctif tel que le lupus érythémateux systémique. C'est une affection inflammatoire également appelée lupus ou LES.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder known as porphyria.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about aceclofenac, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take aceclofenac exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is one 100 mg tablet twice daily, taken preferably morning and evening.

• Take aceclofenac with food; during a mealtime is ideal. This will help to protect your stomach from side-effects such as indigestion and stomach irritation.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case take the next dose when it is due and leave out the forgotten dose). Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

• Your doctor will try to prescribe you the lowest dose for the shortest time in order to reduce the risk of side-effects. If you need to take aceclofenac over a period of time, your doctor may want to prescribe another medicine along with it to protect your stomach from irritation.

• Essayez de respecter vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Cela permet à votre médecin de suivre vos progrès.

• If you have asthma, symptoms such as wheeze or breathlessness can be made worse by anti-inflammatories such as aceclofenac. If this happens to you, you should stop taking the tablets and see your doctor as soon as possible.

• There is known to be a small increased risk of heart and blood vessel problems in people taking some anti-inflammatory painkillers long-term. Your doctor will explain this to you and will prescribe the lowest suitable dose for the shortest time in order to reduce the risk. Do not take more than the recommended dose.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with an anti-inflammatory like aceclofenac. This is because you should not take these tablets with any other anti-inflammatory painkiller, some of which are available in cold and flu remedies which can be bought 'over the counter'.

• Si vous devez subir une opération ou un traitement dentaire, informez la personne qui effectue le traitement des médicaments que vous prenez.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with aceclofenac. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following less common but possibly serious symptoms, stop taking aceclofenac and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• Si vous avez des difficultés respiratoires telles que des sifflements ou un essoufflement.

• Si vous présentez des signes de réaction allergique tels qu'un gonflement autour de la bouche ou du visage, ou une éruption cutanée sévèrement prurigineuse.

• Si vous avez des selles sanglantes ou noires, vomissez du sang, ou ressentez de fortes douleurs abdominales.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus aux comprimés, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.