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

Garnock-Jones, Karly P.

K. P. Garnock-Jones Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, 0754 Auckland, New Zealand e-mail: [email protected]

Published online: 18 July 2014

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.

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.

CNS Drugs 28(8):p 761-768, August 2014. | DOI: 10.1007/s40263-014-0186-y

Abstract

Diclofenac potassium powder for oral solution (Voltfast^®, Catafast^®, Cambia^®; hereafter referred to as diclofenac potassium powder) is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory 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.

Diclofenac potassium powder for oral solution in acute migraine: a summary

Faster onset of action than diclofenac potassium tablets

Significantly more effective than placebo with regard to freedom from pain at 2 and 24 h and freedom from accompanying symptoms at 2 h

Significantly more effective than diclofenac potassium tablets with regard to freedom from pain at 2 and 24 h

Most common adverse events are nausea and dizziness

Boxed warning regarding increased risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal adverse events with NSAID use