Difference Between Diclofenac Sodium and Diclofenac Potassium

The key difference between diclofenac sodium and diclofenac potassium is that diclofenac sodium is comparatively acting slowly and dissolves in water slowly, whereas diclofenac potassium acts faster and dissolves in water quickly.

Diclofenac Sodium and Diclofenac Potassium are two forms of Diclofenac drug. Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs are used in many parts of the world to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Diclofenac is also given for the treatment of arthritis, menstrual pain, and dysmenorrheal. Diclofenac is considered to be safer than ibuprofen and is also faster acting. It remains active longer than Paracetamol. Diclofenac exists in two forms known as Diclofenac Sodium and Diclofenac Potassium. These are actually salts of Diclofenac, also known as Sodium and Potassium salts. Both are similar in the sense that their base is Diclofenac. The real difference lies in the fact that the potassium salt of Diclofenac is more soluble in water than the sodium salt.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Diclofenac Sodium 
3. What is Diclofenac Potassium 
4. Diclofenac Sodium vs Diclofenac Potassium in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Diclofenac Sodium vs Diclofenac Potassium 

What is Diclofenac Sodium?

Diclofenac sodium is a form of diclofenac drug that belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and it contains a sodium ion associated with active ingredients. Typically, diclofenac sodium is less soluble in water compared to diclofenac potassium. This is because sodium ions have comparatively less attraction towards water molecules. This makes the Diclofenac sodium drug less effective because it takes a comparatively long time to show the effects.

Moreover, diclofenac sodium shows delayed-release. Therefore, this medication is not suitable for acute and severe pain but for chronic and mild pain. In China, diclofenac sodium is more popular than the diclofenac potassium drug.

What is Diclofenac Potassium?

Diclofenac sodium is a form of diclofenac drug that belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and it contains a potassium ion associated with active ingredients. Typically, diclofenac potassium is more soluble in water compared to diclofenac sodium. This is because potassium ions have a large surface area, which allows more water molecules to react with them. Therefore, the diclofenac potassium drug is more effective because it takes comparatively less time to show the effects.

Moreover, diclofenac potassium shows immediate release. Therefore, this medication is suitable for acute and severe pain as well as chronic and mild pain. It is available in many countries, and in some countries, it is the only form that is available rather than diclofenac sodium.

What is the Difference Between Diclofenac Sodium and Diclofenac Potassium?

Diclofenac sodium and diclofenac potassium are two forms of Diclofenac drugs that are considered NSAIDs. Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs are used in many parts of the world to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The key difference between diclofenac sodium and diclofenac potassium is that diclofenac sodium is comparatively acting slowly and dissolves in water slowly, whereas diclofenac potassium acts faster and dissolves in water quickly.

The below infographic presents the differences between diclofenac sodium and diclofenac potassium in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Diclofenac Sodium vs Diclofenac Potassium

Diclofenac sodium contains a sodium ion associated with active ingredients. Diclofenac sodium, on the other hand, contains a potassium ion associated with active ingredients. The key difference between diclofenac sodium and diclofenac potassium is that diclofenac sodium is comparatively acting slowly and dissolves in water slowly, whereas diclofenac potassium acts faster and dissolves in water quickly.

Reference:

1. “Diclofenac Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Diclofenac-Sodium-Slow-Release-Tab-20191002 193311” By Tomchiukc – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “DRUGS – tablets” Dave Rutt (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr

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