Safety of diclofenac sodium 1% gel for knee osteoarthritis in patients with comorbidities

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), relative risk increasing with younger age.1 Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with a risk of cardiovascular adverse events (AEs), increasing with dose and duration of use. 2 Topical NSAIDs reduce systemic NSAID exposure, offering potential benefits. The safety and efficacy of topical diclofenac sodium 1% gel (DSG) in patients with knee OA pain were established in 3 double-blind randomized trials, wherein 721 patients (aged ≥35 y) with radiographically mild to moderate knee OA applied DSG 4 grams 4 times daily per knee to 1 or both knees for 12 weeks.