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Diclofenac Potassium Powder for Oral Solution: A Review of Its Use in Patients with Acute Migraine

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Abstract

Diclofenac potassium powder for oral solution (Voltfast®, Catafast®, Cambia®; hereafter referred to as diclofenac potassium powder) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine. This article reviews the pharmacological properties of diclofenac potassium powder and its efficacy and tolerability in patients with acute migraine. Diclofenac potassium powder was clinically efficacious and generally well tolerated in placebo-controlled trials in patients with this indication; it was more effective than diclofenac potassium tablets with regard to the primary endpoint of 2-h pain relief as well as in several important secondary endpoints, such as time to onset of analgesic action. The oral powder-for-solution formulation of diclofenac potassium is a useful option in the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura.

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Disclosure

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made by the author on the basis of scientific and editorial merit. K. P. Garnock-Jones is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer.

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  1. Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Karly P. Garnock-Jones

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  1. Karly P. Garnock-Jones
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Correspondence to Karly P. Garnock-Jones.

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The manuscript was reviewed by: R. K. Cady, Headache Care Center, Springfield, Missouri, USA; J. R. Couch, Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma Medical School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; S. Derry, Pain Research and Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

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Garnock-Jones, K.P. Diclofenac Potassium Powder for Oral Solution: A Review of Its Use in Patients with Acute Migraine. CNS Drugs 28, 761–768 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-014-0186-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-014-0186-y

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