The non-opioid analgesic diclofenac is used worldwide for musculoskeletal and perioperative pain therapy. Despite its frequent use and easy access as an "over the counter" drug, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal adverse drug effects have to be considered. Availability of diverse formulations (e.g. tablets, suppository, gel-formulations) with different indications, dosage recommendations and contraindications may easily lead to confusion, thus accounting for inadequate use on the one hand or withholding of an effective analgesic. This review may provide physicians in perioperative medicine, intensive care and pain therapy with important and suitable information about the pharmacology and appropriate use of this drug.
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