Phlogin SR 100mg Capsules (Diclofenac Sodium)

Drug Class: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) — Sustained-Release | Form: Oral Sustained-Release Capsule | Prescription Status: Prescription Only (Rx) — DRAP Registered

What is Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule?

Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule contains Diclofenac Sodium 100mg in a specially engineered sustained-release (SR) capsule formulation — delivering a high-dose, controlled, and prolonged release of Diclofenac over an extended period of time from a single daily or twice-daily dose. The "SR" designation indicates that this is not an ordinary capsule that releases its full contents immediately upon swallowing — instead, the capsule contains specially coated pellets or granules that dissolve slowly and release Diclofenac gradually into the digestive system over 12 to 24 hours.

Phlogin SR 100mg is the capsule-form equivalent of sustained-release Diclofenac — delivering the same active ingredient, dose, and extended-release pharmacokinetic profile as Dicloran SR 100mg Tablet, but in a capsule shell rather than a tablet matrix. The capsule formulation offers a practical advantage for some patients — it is easier to swallow than a large tablet, and the capsule shell masks the taste of the medicine completely, making it more comfortable to take for patients who are sensitive to the taste of oral medicines.

The sustained-release design means Diclofenac is released slowly and steadily throughout the day and night from a single capsule — maintaining consistent therapeutic blood levels that provide continuous anti-inflammatory and analgesic coverage without the sharp peaks and troughs associated with immediate-release formulations dosed three times daily. This makes Phlogin SR 100mg particularly well-suited for chronic inflammatory conditions — such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis — where sustained, round-the-clock anti-inflammatory coverage is essential for effective symptom management and quality of life.

As with all high-dose prescription NSAIDs, Phlogin SR 100mg must only be taken under a doctor's supervision, at the lowest effective dose, with food, and for the shortest time clinically necessary.

What is Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule Used For?

Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule is approved for the treatment of the following chronic and acute conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis — chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease causing persistent pain, swelling, warmth, and morning stiffness across multiple joints (ریمیٹائڈ آرتھرائٹس) — the sustained-release profile is particularly valuable for controlling characteristic early morning joint stiffness when taken at bedtime
• Osteoarthritis — degenerative joint disease causing chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in weight-bearing joints including the knees, hips, hands, and spine (جوڑوں کا تکلیف دہ گھسنا) — one of the most common chronic uses of SR Diclofenac
• Ankylosing spondylitis — chronic progressive inflammatory condition of the spine and sacroiliac joints causing stiffness, pain, and progressive restricted spinal movement (ریڑھ کی ہڈی کی سوزش) — sustained coverage helps manage the prominent early morning spinal stiffness characteristic of this condition
• Acute gout attack — sudden intensely painful joint inflammation caused by uric acid crystal deposits — most commonly affecting the big toe (گاؤٹ کا شدید درد) — the 100mg dose provides powerful anti-inflammatory coverage for the duration of an acute attack
• Muscle strains and soft tissue injuries — sprains, strains, and musculoskeletal injuries with significant pain and inflammation (پٹھوں کی چوٹ اور موچ)
• Post-surgical pain — moderate to severe pain and inflammation following surgical procedures — typically used as the patient transitions from injectable to oral analgesics
• Back pain — acute and chronic lower back and cervical pain with an inflammatory component (کمر اور گردن کا درد)
• Shoulder and neck conditions — periarthritis, frozen shoulder, and cervical spondylosis causing persistent pain and restricted movement
• Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhoea) — severe period pain driven by prostaglandin-mediated uterine contractions (شدید ماہواری درد) — the sustained release provides longer-lasting relief across painful menstrual days

How Does Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule Work?

The Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Mechanism:

Diclofenac Sodium works by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase) enzymes — the enzymes responsible for producing prostaglandins throughout the body. Prostaglandins are the key chemical mediators of pain, inflammation, swelling, and fever at sites of tissue injury, disease, and immune activation.

By inhibiting COX enzymes and reducing prostaglandin production throughout the body, Phlogin SR 100mg delivers three simultaneous therapeutic effects:

Anti-inflammatory action — directly reduces swelling, heat, redness, and tissue inflammation at affected joints and soft tissues by interrupting the prostaglandin-driven inflammatory cascade at its source — treating the underlying cause of pain rather than merely masking it

Analgesic action — prostaglandins lower the activation threshold of pain receptors throughout the body, making them hypersensitive to stimulation; by reducing prostaglandin levels, Diclofenac raises the pain threshold and significantly decreases the intensity and persistence of pain signals reaching the brain

Antipyretic action — blocks prostaglandin production in the hypothalamus — the brain's temperature regulation centre — helping reduce fever associated with inflammatory conditions

The Sustained-Release Capsule Advantage:

Inside Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule, Diclofenac Sodium is contained within specially coated pellets or modified-release granules. When the capsule shell dissolves in the stomach, these pellets are released but do not immediately dissolve themselves — instead, their special coating controls the rate at which Diclofenac is released over the following 12 to 24 hours. This produces a characteristically different blood concentration profile compared to immediate-release Diclofenac:

• Slower, more gradual rise in blood levels — reducing peak concentration spikes that are associated with greater stomach irritation and more intense but shorter-lived drug effects
• Sustained plateau of therapeutic blood levels — maintaining anti-inflammatory and analgesic coverage throughout the full dosing interval
• Slower decline — blood levels remain above the therapeutic threshold for longer, providing more consistent round-the-clock coverage than three-times-daily immediate-release dosing
• Once or twice daily dosing — dramatically improving convenience and long-term treatment adherence for patients managing chronic conditions

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis who experience their worst stiffness and pain in the early morning, taking Phlogin SR 100mg at bedtime allows the sustained-release profile to build and maintain therapeutic levels overnight — so that by the time the patient wakes, full anti-inflammatory coverage is already established.

Dosage and Administration

⚠️ Always take exactly the dose and frequency prescribed by your doctor. Phlogin SR 100mg is a high-dose sustained-release capsule — never exceed the prescribed dose or combine with other NSAIDs. Always take with food. Never open, crush, or chew the capsule contents.

Critical Note on Maximum Daily Dose: The maximum daily dose of Diclofenac from all sources combined is 150mg per 24 hours. If a doctor prescribes Phlogin SR 100mg once daily alongside a standard 50mg Diclofenac tablet for breakthrough pain, this already reaches the maximum — no further Diclofenac or other NSAID must be added.

How to Take:

• Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water — do not open, pierce, crush, or chew the capsule or its contents under any circumstances
• Always take with food or immediately after a meal — this is essential to protect the stomach lining; never take on an empty stomach
• For chronic inflammatory conditions causing early morning stiffness, take the capsule in the evening or at bedtime for best overnight anti-inflammatory coverage
• Take at the same time each day to maintain consistent therapeutic blood levels
• Space doses evenly if prescribed twice daily — for example morning and evening approximately 12 hours apart
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered — unless it is nearly time for the next dose, in which case skip the missed dose and continue normally; never double the dose

Active Ingredient

Who Should NOT Take Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule?

Do not take this capsule if you:

• Are allergic to Diclofenac, Aspirin, or any other NSAID
• Have experienced asthma, hives, facial swelling, or severe allergic reaction after taking Aspirin or any NSAID
• Have or have previously had a stomach ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, or bowel perforation
• Have severe heart failure, established ischaemic heart disease (angina or previous heart attack), peripheral arterial disease, or cerebrovascular disease (previous stroke or TIA)
• Have severe kidney failure or severe liver failure
• Are in the last 3 months (third trimester) of pregnancy
• Are a child or adolescent under 18 years of age
• Are currently taking other NSAIDs or Aspirin above 75mg per day simultaneously

Always consult your doctor before taking Phlogin SR 100mg if you have any of the following:

• History of stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis)
• High blood pressure (ہائی بلڈ پریشر) or cardiovascular risk factors — smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease
• Any degree of kidney or liver disease
• Asthma — particularly aspirin-sensitive asthma with nasal polyps
• Diabetes — NSAIDs can impair kidney function and affect glucose management
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — increased risk of kidney complications with NSAIDs
• Are aged 65 or over — substantially higher risk of serious NSAID side effects at the 100mg dose
• Are pregnant (first or second trimester) or breastfeeding
• Are taking blood thinners, corticosteroids, SSRIs, Methotrexate, or Lithium

Side Effects

Phlogin SR 100mg carries the full side effect profile of high-dose prescription Diclofenac. The sustained-release design may reduce the severity of immediate gastrointestinal irritation compared to an equivalent immediate-release dose — but it does not eliminate the underlying systemic risks of NSAID therapy, which are dose-dependent and accumulate with prolonged use.

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea or stomach discomfort — reduced by always taking with food
• Heartburn or acid reflux
• Diarrhoea (دست) or constipation
• Mild headache or dizziness
• Mild skin rash or itching
• Flatulence or bloating
• Elevated liver enzyme levels on blood tests — more common with Diclofenac than many other NSAIDs; liver function monitoring recommended with prolonged use
• Mild ankle swelling from fluid retention

Serious Side Effects — Stop Taking and Seek Emergency Medical Attention Immediately:

• Gastrointestinal ulcer or bleeding — dark or black tarry stools, vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, or sudden severe stomach pain — the most important serious risk; higher at 100mg than at 50mg
• Cardiovascular events — chest pain, sudden breathlessness, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden speech difficulty or facial drooping — Diclofenac carries a comparatively higher cardiovascular risk among NSAIDs, particularly at higher doses with long-term use
• Severe allergic reaction — sudden widespread rash, hives, severe swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing (یہ طبی ہنگامی صورتحال ہے)
• Liver damage — yellowing of skin or eyes (یرقان / jaundice), very dark urine, severe right-sided upper abdominal pain, extreme fatigue — Diclofenac has a higher hepatotoxicity signal than many other NSAIDs; liver function testing is essential during prolonged treatment
• Kidney problems — significantly reduced urination, rapid swelling of ankles and legs, unexplained weight gain — NSAIDs reduce kidney blood flow
• Heart failure exacerbation — sudden leg swelling, rapid unexplained weight gain, breathlessness when lying flat
• Severe skin reactions — Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis — widespread blistering and peeling skin — very rare but life-threatening; stop immediately and seek emergency treatment
• Worsening of asthma — sudden wheezing or severe chest tightness after taking the capsule

If any serious symptom develops, stop Phlogin SR 100mg immediately and go to the nearest hospital emergency department without delay.

Drug and Food Interactions

Always provide your doctor and pharmacist with a complete and current list of all medicines, supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking before starting Phlogin SR 100mg Capsules.

Storage Instructions

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
• Protect from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture — the modified-release coating on the pellets inside the capsule is sensitive to environmental conditions
• Keep in the original blister pack or container until immediately before use — do not store loose capsules in open containers
• Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں)
• Do not store in the bathroom or near a kitchen — humidity can degrade both the capsule shell and the modified-release pellets inside
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the blister pack or outer carton

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule and Dicloran SR 100mg Tablet?

Both contain exactly the same active ingredient — Diclofenac Sodium 100mg — in a sustained-release formulation providing identical pharmacokinetic profiles, clinical indications, dosing schedules, and side effect profiles. The difference is purely the physical form of the medicine. Phlogin SR is a capsule containing modified-release pellets; Dicloran SR is a sustained-release tablet matrix. Both release Diclofenac slowly over 12 to 24 hours. Some patients find capsules easier to swallow than tablets — particularly larger sustained-release tablets — making Phlogin SR a practically convenient alternative. Clinically, they are interchangeable when prescribed at the same dose.

Why must the Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule never be opened or chewed?

The modified-release pellets inside Phlogin SR 100mg are specifically engineered to control the rate of Diclofenac release. If the capsule is opened and the pellets are chewed, crushed, or dissolved immediately — or if the capsule contents are mixed into food — the protective coating on the pellets is physically destroyed. This causes the full 100mg dose to be released and absorbed all at once rather than gradually over 12 to 24 hours — effectively creating an unintended massive immediate-release dose. This dramatically increases peak blood concentrations, significantly raising the risk of serious stomach damage, cardiovascular stress, and kidney injury. Always swallow the capsule whole without any modification.

Is taking Phlogin SR 100mg at bedtime better for arthritis?

For many arthritis patients — particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis — taking Phlogin SR 100mg in the evening or at bedtime is specifically recommended and clinically advantageous. Both conditions are characterised by their worst pain and stiffness in the early morning — immediately upon waking. Because Phlogin SR releases Diclofenac slowly over 12 to 24 hours, an evening dose allows therapeutic blood levels to build overnight. By the time the patient wakes in the morning — when inflammation is typically at its worst — the anti-inflammatory effect is already fully established. This bedtime dosing strategy provides measurably better control of morning stiffness compared to taking the dose in the morning and waiting for it to build up through the day.

Do I need a stomach-protecting medicine alongside Phlogin SR 100mg?

For many patients — particularly those aged 65 and over, those requiring long-term treatment, those with any history of stomach problems, those also taking corticosteroids, blood thinners, or SSRIs, and those with multiple cardiovascular risk factors — doctors routinely co-prescribe a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Omeprazole or Pantoprazole alongside Phlogin SR 100mg to protect the stomach lining and reduce the risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Even though the sustained-release design reduces the intensity of immediate gastric contact, the overall NSAID-related risk of ulceration and bleeding remains significant at the 100mg dose — particularly with prolonged use. Discuss this with your doctor if gastroprotection has not already been prescribed.

How long can Phlogin SR 100mg be taken continuously for chronic arthritis?

For chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, long-term use may be medically necessary — but only under regular specialist supervision with periodic monitoring. Continuous long-term use of Diclofenac at 100mg per day carries meaningful cumulative risks — gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, cardiovascular events including heart attack and stroke, kidney damage, and liver enzyme elevation. Patients on long-term Phlogin SR require regular blood pressure checks, kidney function tests, liver enzyme monitoring, and cardiovascular risk reassessment. The treating rheumatologist will periodically evaluate whether the clinical benefit of continued NSAID therapy justifies the ongoing cumulative risk, and whether disease-modifying treatments or alternative pain management strategies can reduce dependence on NSAIDs over time.

Can Phlogin SR 100mg Capsule be used for acute gout alongside uric acid-lowering medicines?

Yes — Phlogin SR 100mg is an effective treatment for the pain and inflammation of an acute gout attack and can be used alongside uric acid-lowering medicines such as Allopurinol or Febuxostat. However, it is important to understand that Phlogin SR treats only the acute inflammatory component of the gout attack — it has no effect on uric acid levels and does not prevent future attacks. Long-term prevention of gout attacks requires separate uric acid-lowering therapy prescribed by your doctor. Additionally, uric acid-lowering medicines should generally not be started during an acute attack — they can initially worsen the attack. Your doctor will advise on the appropriate timing and sequence of these treatments.

---

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This product description is provided for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified and licensed doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any prescription medicine. Phlogin SR 100mg must only be taken under medical supervision — never open or chew the capsule — always take with food — use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary — long-term use requires regular monitoring by your doctor.

---

DRAP Registered | Prescription Required (Rx) | Swallow capsule whole — never open or chew — always take with food — long-term use requires regular medical review