Cambia
Generic Name: diclofenac (dye KLOE fen ak)
Brand Names: Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Voltaren-XR, Zipsor
What is Cambia?
Cambia (diclofenac) belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Diclofenac works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Cambia powder is used to treat a migraine headache attack. Do not use Cambia to treat a cluster headache.
Cambia will only treat a headache that has already begun. Cambia will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
Diclofenac may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Cambia
Diclofenac can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use diclofenac. Do not use Cambia just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking Cambia. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to diclofenac (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. Do not drink alcohol while taking Cambia. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by Cambia.
Before taking Cambia
Do not use Cambia if you are allergic to diclofenac, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Cambia:
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
liver or kidney disease,
asthma;
polyps in your nose;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
if you smoke.
FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking Cambia during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Do not take Cambia during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Diclofenac can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Cambia to a child.
See also: Cambia pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
How should I take Cambia?
Take Cambia exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Dissolve the Cambia powder with 1 to 2 ounces of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. Cambia powder works best if you take it on an empty stomach.
Call your doctor if your headache does not completely go away after taking Cambia. Do not take a second dose of Cambia powder without your doctor’s advice.
If you take Cambia for a long period of time, your liver function may need to be checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store Cambia at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, and fainting.
What should I avoid while taking Cambia?
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to diclofenac (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. Do not drink alcohol while taking Cambia. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by diclofenac. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Cambia may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
Cambia side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Cambia: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Cambia and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
swelling or rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).
Less serious Cambia side effects may include:
upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas;
dizziness, headache, nervousness;
skin itching or rash;
blurred vision; or
ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Cambia side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Cambia?
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with Cambia may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking Cambia, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix).
steroids (prednisone and others);
aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Cambia. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Cambia resources
Cambia Side Effects (in More Detail)
Cambia Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Cambia Drug Interactions
Cambia Support Group
0 Reviews for Cambia – Add your own review/rating
Cambia Prescribing Information (FDA)
Cambia Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) – Includes Dosage Information
Cambia Powder Packets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Diclofenac Prescribing Information (FDA)
Diclofenac Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Diclofenac MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Cataflam Prescribing Information (FDA)
Cataflam Immediate-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Voltaren Prescribing Information (FDA)
Voltaren Drops MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Zipsor Prescribing Information (FDA)
diclofenac epolamine Monograph (AHFS DI)
Compare Cambia with other medications
Migraine
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Cambia.
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