Diclofenac
2-[2-(2,6-Dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetic acid
Drag to rotate. Structure from PubChem CID 3033.
Background
Listing
- Schedules
- Schedule 1 to 3, conditions apply
- Exceptions reach
- Schedule 0
- Source
- Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026
Registered medicines
2 registered products listed
Counted through the register's ingredient index, which does not reach every record.
| Name | Brands | Dosages | Applicants | Registrations | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diclofenac | Panamor, A-lennon diclofenac, Q care-diclofenac, +59 more | 12,5, 75 mg, injection, 25 mg, +24 more | 28 applicants | 89 registrations | S3 |
| Diclofenac, misoprostol | Arthrotec | 50, 75 | Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd | 2 registrations | S1 to S4conditions apply |
2 more registered products name Diclofenac in their active ingredient
| Name | Brands | Dosages | Applicants | Registrations | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diclofenac diethylammonium | K-fenak | 1.16 % m/m | Cipla Medpro (Pty) Ltd | 300031 | S0 |
| Diclofenac hydroxyethylpyrrolidine | Panamor | 1,292 g/100 g | Pharmacare limited û woodmead | 330058 | S0 |
Regulatory status
Where S1 to S3 sits on the scale
Depends on which listing applies
At the least restrictive, Schedule 1: sold by a pharmacist, no doctor's prescription needed. At the most restrictive, Schedule 3: needs a doctor's prescription, dispensed by a pharmacist. The listings below say which applies to which form, strength or pack size.
Schedule S1 to S3, as the Consolidated Schedules list it.
Who may supply: A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it; and, for animal treatment, a person practising a para-veterinary profession, on a veterinarian's written or verbal instruction.
Consolidated Schedules listings for Diclofenac
S3: Diclofenac
- except when intended for application to the skin and containing 1 % m/m or less of diclofenac subject to a maximum pack size of 50 grams; (S0)
- except when intended for application to the skin and containing more than 1 % m/m of diclofenac; (S1)
- except when intended for the emergency treatment of acute gout attacks, subject to a maximum daily dose of 150 mg for a maximum treatment period of 3 days; (S2)
- except when intended for human use only in the treatment of fever or mild to moderate pain of inflammatory origin, or for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions subject to a maximum daily dose of 75 mg for a maximum treatment period of 5 days. (S2)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 3415 to 3427
S2: Diclofenac
- when intended for the emergency treatment of acute gout attacks, subject to a maximum daily dose of 150 mg for a maximum treatment period of 3 days; (S3)
- when intended for human use only in the treatment of fever or mild to moderate pain of inflammatory origin, or for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions, subject to a maximum daily dose of 75 mg for a maximum treatment period of 5 days;
- except when intended for application to the skin and containing 1 % m/m or less of diclofenac subject to a maximum pack size of 50 grams; (S0)
- except when intended for application to the skin and containing more than 1 % m/m of diclofenac; (S1)
- except when intended for veterinary use. (S3)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 1807 to 1821
S1: Diclofenac
- when intended for application to the skin and containing more than 1 % m/m of diclofenac; (S3)
- except when intended for application to the skin and containing 1 % m/m or less of diclofenac subject to a maximum pack size of 50 grams; (S0)
- except when intended for the emergency treatment of acute gout attacks, subject to a maximum daily dose of 150 mg for a maximum treatment period of 3 days; (S2)
- except when intended for human use only in the treatment of fever or mild to moderate pain of inflammatory origin, or for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions, subject to a maximum daily dose of 75 mg for a maximum treatment period of 5 day; (S2)
- except when intended for veterinary use. (S3)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 365 to 379
This is an informational summary of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and its 2017 General Regulations. It is not medical advice and not legal advice. Always check the medicine's label, which carries the schedule number inside a square border, or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.