Diacerein

Description

Diacerein is a medicine that is used to relieve pain, stiffness and swelling of joints associated with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder caused when the protective cartilage which acts as a cushion between two ends of bones wears down, leading to joint tenderness and pain with movement. It works by forming a soft connective tissue around the joints (cartilage), thus it relieves pain and swelling at the joints. This medicine is slow acting and is used as a long-term treatment option, either alone or in combination to treat joint pains. Diacerein is available in two forms that are tablets and capsules. Diacerein shows common side effects like diarrhoea and urine discolouration. Usually, these side effects resolve with time. If any of these symptoms persist for a long time or worsen, consult your doctor at the earliest. Inform your doctor if you have medical conditions related to your liver, kidney and heart, diabetes (increased blood sugar levels), etc. before taking this medicine. Inform the doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Diacerein can be taken with or without food. Take this medicine as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it on your own even if you feel better. Along with the medicine, regular exercises to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint and managing the body weight should be adopted in daily lifestyle.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Diacerein

  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach discomfort and pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Yellowing of skin and eyes
  • Urine discoloration
  • Increase in liver enzyme levels
  • Allergic skin reaction

Uses of Diacerein

What is it prescribed for?

  • Osteoarthritis
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    Diacerein starts showing its action in 2-3 hours.
  • Duration of effect
    The duration of action of Diacerein is 27 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Diacerein has no habit forming tendency.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Diacerein is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may delay the bone formation of your foetus.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Diacerein is known to pass into the breastmilk. This medicine may affect the kidneys and bone growth in infants. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine during breastfeeding.

Allergy

Avoid taking Diacerein if you are allergic to it. Seek medical attention if you notice any allergic reactions such as skin rash, hives (painful, itchy eruptions that sting), swelling (face, lips, tongue, etc.), breathing difficulty, etc.

Kidney diseases

Diacerein is excreted through the kidneys. If you have pre-existing kidney problems, this medicine may accumulate in your kidneys and further worsen your condition. Hence, this medicine is not recommended for use if you have kidney problems.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Diacerein is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may delay the bone formation of your foetus.

Breast-feeding

Diacerein is known to pass into the breastmilk. This medicine may affect the kidneys and bone growth in infants. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine during breastfeeding.
General warnings

Diarrhoea

Diacerein may cause diarrhoea or loose stools in the first few days of treatment. Contact your doctor if the diarrhoea does not stop within 3-4 days.

Antibiotic therapy

Diacerein should not be taken with antibiotics since the risk of stomach irritation and persistent diarrhoea is significantly high.

Diagnostic tests

It is recommended to monitor your liver function, kidney function and complete blood count in every six months during treatment with Diacerein.

Urine discolouration

The use of Diacerein may cause the intense yellow colour of urine. This is mainly due to the excretion of end products and may not lead to any serious side effects.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take a dose of Diacerein, make sure that you remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor if you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Diacerein.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Aluminium Hydroxide/Magnesium Hydroxide

Amoxycillin

Laxatives

Disease interactions

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder that causes pain in the abdomen, gases and diarrhoea/constipation. Diacerein may increase the risk of diarrhoea in people having IBS.

Kidney diseases

Diacerein is excreted through the kidneys. If you have pre-existing kidney problems, this medicine may accumulate in your kidneys and further worsen your condition. Hence, this medicine is not recommended for use if you have kidney problems.
Food interactions
A diet rich in fibres and phytates (beans, seeds and grains) may interfere with the absorption of Diacerein from the stomach. Hence, taking this medicine with a diet rich in fibres and phytates should be avoided.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Diacerein as instructed by your doctor. You can take this medicine with or without food. Exercise to strengthen muscles around the affected joint and managing your weight while taking this medicine will help you to get better effects. It may increase your blood sugar level. If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Do not take Diacerein if you are suffering from diarrhoea. Let your doctor know if your symptoms do not improve even after two to three months of taking this medicine. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet/capsule. Take the medicine immediately after peeling from the strip.
Miscelleneous

To be taken immediately after food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Diacerein works by blocking the actions of a specific protein that causes swelling, pain, and degradation of cartilage at bone joints. It also promotes the formation of cartilage (a soft tissue around the joints), thus relieves discomfort in your physical movements.
Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Antirheumatics

Schedule

Schedule H

JP, P., M, Y., B, H., P, C., MA, N., D, C., I, W., IA, R. and AD, B., 2021. Efficacy and safety of diacerein in osteoarthritis of the knee: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Diacerein Study Group. [online] PubMed. Available at: < [Accessed 13 July 2021].

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11037895/>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Diacerein. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 July 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/26248>

Data.health.gov.il. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 July 2021].

https://data.health.gov.il/drugs/alonim/Diatrim_dr_1462364199647.pdf>

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Information on this page was last updated on 13 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.