Painkiller diclofenac risky, should be removed from market, researchers say

Painkiller diclofenac risky, should be removed from market, researchers say
CARLY WEEKS

The Globe and Mail


Published Tuesday, Feb. 12 2013, 5:00 PM EST



Diclofenac, a popular painkiller sold as Voltaren and other brand names, is as risky as Vioxx and should be taken off the market, Canadian researchers warn.

However, in the absence of action from Health Canada, researchers are taking the unusual step of asking patients to stop taking the drug and turn to safer alternatives, such as naproxen.