Diacerein
About Diacerein
Diacerein is a prescription medication primarily used to manage the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis, a long-term condition that causes the wear-and-tear of joint cartilage. It helps to relieve persistent pain, reduce joint swelling, and improve overall mobility over time. Unlike quick-acting painkillers, this medicine is designed for long-term support to help protect and maintain joint health.
To achieve the best results, you must take Diacerein daily and consistently as prescribed by your doctor. It is highly recommended to take this medication with a main meal, as food significantly helps your body absorb the active ingredients and lowers the chances of stomach upset. Combining this treatment with lifestyle adjustments—such as keeping a healthy weight and performing gentle, low-impact exercises—can greatly improve your joint function.
While taking Diacerein, you may notice some mild side effects, such as loose stools or a harmless change in your urine colour. However, if you experience severe, persistent diarrhoea or any signs of liver problems, you must stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor may also want to monitor your liver health through regular blood tests while you are on this treatment.
Before you begin taking Diacerein, talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney problems, or chronic intestinal disorders. Do not take this if you currently have active liver disease, a history of severe liver issues, or suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. This medication is also not suitable for people suffering from severe, unexplained diarrhoea.
This medicine can interact with other substances; for instance, taking it with laxatives can cause severe dehydration, while certain antacids can prevent your body from absorbing it properly. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as it can increase the stress on your liver. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or are over the age of 65, consult your doctor to ensure this treatment is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Diacerein
Medicinal Benefits
The following benefits highlight how Diacerein helps improve joint comfort, preserve joint health, and support long-term mobility:
- Provides gradual pain relief: It offers steady improvement in joint pain and stiffness, making everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and bending more comfortable.
- Helps protect joint cartilage: By reducing inflammation involved in cartilage breakdown, it may help slow the progression of osteoarthritis and preserve joint function.
- Supports long-term mobility: Regular use can improve joint flexibility and physical function, helping you remain active over time.
- May reduce the need for painkillers: As joint symptoms improve, some people may require fewer fast-acting pain medicines such as NSAIDs, potentially lowering the risk of NSAID-related side effects.
Directions for Use
- Diacerein can be taken with food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Diacerein as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Diacerein
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Loose stools or mild diarrhoea (especially during the first few weeks of starting treatment)
- Stomach pain, bloating, or abdominal discomfort
- Urine turning a darker yellow, orange, or reddish colour (this is completely harmless and normal)
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe, continuous diarrhoea that leads to symptoms of dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth, or severe dizziness
- Signs of liver problems, including yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark-coloured urine, pale stools, severe nausea, or unusual fatigue
- Severe allergic reactions, such as a sudden skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat causing difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Expect discoloured urine: Do not worry if your urine turns a bright yellow, orange, or reddish colour. This is a normal side effect of the medicine and is not a cause for concern.
- Watch for severe diarrhoea: If you develop frequent, watery stools, stop taking the medication immediately and call your doctor to prevent severe fluid loss.
- Give the medicine time: Be patient, as it typically takes 2 to 4 weeks of daily use to start feeling pain relief, and up to several months for maximum benefits.
- Schedule liver tests: Attend all scheduled medical appointments, as your doctor may want to run regular blood tests to check your liver enzymes while you use this medicine.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Diacerein and affect its safety or effectiveness. Inform your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you are taking before starting treatment.
- Antacids (containing magnesium or aluminum): Taking these medications at the same time can reduce the absorption of Diacerein. Space them out by taking your antacid at least 2 hours before or after this medicine.
- Laxatives: Avoid taking laxatives while using this medication, as the combination can cause severe diarrhoea, bowel irritation, and rapid dehydration.
- Antibiotics: Some oral antibiotics may change your gut flora, which can increase the risk or severity of diarrhoea when taken alongside this treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Diacerein as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeDiacerein is contraindicated in pregnant women. However, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDiacerein may be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, Diacerein is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDrive only if you are alert after taking Diacerein.
Liver
unsafeDiacerein is not recommended for patients with liver disease. However, please consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionTake Diacerein with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeDiacerein is not recommended for children below 15 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Manage your weight: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the physical pressure and stress on your weight-bearing joints, which directly helps to lower osteoarthritis pain.
- Stay active with low-impact exercise: Engage in gentle activities like swimming, cycling, water aerobics, or walking to strengthen the muscles around your joints and keep them flexible.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods: Focus on a balanced diet rich in antioxidant fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, walnuts, and chia seeds) to help support joint health.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Stay well-hydrated throughout the day, especially when you first start taking this medicine, to offset any mild fluid loss from loose stools.
Special Advise
You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Diacerein and antacids containing calcium, aluminium, or magnesium salts as taking these medicines at the same time may decrease the absorption of Diacerein.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoarthritis: It is a degenerative joint disease in which the two ends of the joints come together due to the breakdown of a protective covering of cartilage. Due to the absence of this protective covering, the joints rub against each other, leading to pain and stiffness. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, inflammation, and tenderness. The main reason for osteoarthritis is age; the older you are, the more likely you are to develop it. It is a degenerative disease, meaning the joints wear out as a person ages. Other reasons include a past injury such as torn cartilage, dislocated joints, and ligament injuries.
FAQs
Diacerein is used to treat pain, stiffness, and joint swelling caused by osteoarthritis.
Diacerein contains Diacerein that works by inhibiting the action of a protein involved in the inflammation and destruction of cartilage. It thereby helps build and repair cartilage (the soft connective tissue that protects and covers the ends of long bones at joints) and reduces pain and swelling in the joints.
Diacerein may cause diarrhoea as a temporary side effect. You are advised to drink plenty of fluids while taking Diacerein to prevent dehydration. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Diacerein is not recommended for patients with liver disease as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, if you have a history of liver diseases or if you are suffering from any liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Diacerein.
You are not recommended to take Diacerein with digoxin as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of irregular heartbeat. However, please consult your doctor before taking Diacerein with other medicines.
Diacerein does not cure arthritis. Diacerein is only used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
The combination of Diacerein and Omeprazole is generally considered safe. However, to ensure optimal safety and efficacy, it's recommended that you consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance. They can assess your individual health needs and provide tailored advice.
No, Diacerein is not a steroid. It belongs to a class of medications called anthraquinones, which are used to treat osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. Diacerein works by inhibiting the production of interleukin-1, a protein that contributes to joint inflammation and damage.
To ensure the best possible outcome, consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your Diacerein treatment regimen. Stopping the medication abruptly, even if symptoms improve, may lead to a recurrence of symptoms. Your doctor will provide personalised guidance on adjusting or discontinuing treatment.
The treatment duration for Diacerein is tailored to each individual's needs. Generally, it involves a prolonged treatment regimen, often spanning several months or more, to effectively alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms. Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider are crucial for assessing treatment efficacy and making any necessary adjustments.
Diacerein is specifically designed to alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis, including joint pain and inflammation. Although it may provide some pain relief, it's not intended for general pain management or treating acute pain from other conditions. For proper usage and guidance, consult your healthcare provider.
The onset of action for Diacerein can range from several weeks to a few months. Individual results may vary depending on factors such as symptom severity and overall health status. Adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen is crucial to achieving desired outcomes.
Taking Diacerein alongside other pain relief medications requires careful consideration. To minimise potential risks and interactions, consult your healthcare provider before combining Diacerein with other analgesics or anti-inflammatory medications. They will assess your individual needs and provide tailored advice.
If you miss a dose of Diacerein, take it as soon as you remember. However, if the next scheduled dose is near, omit the missed dose and resume the regular dosing schedule. Doubling the dose to compensate for the missed one is not recommended, as this may increase the risk of adverse effects.
Diacerein may cause mild and temporary side effects in some individuals. Commonly reported side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea, stomach pain, and flatulence, as well as skin reactions like rash or itching. In most cases, these side effects resolve on their own over time. However, if they persist or worsen, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and guidance.
The safety of Diacerein during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been extensively established. As a precautionary measure, pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider. They will assess the potential benefits and risks and provide personalised guidance.
No, you should always take Diacerein with a main meal. Taking it with food significantly increases the amount of medicine your body absorbs and helps protect your stomach and intestines from irritation or loose stools. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you struggle with this requirement.
This is a completely harmless, normal reaction to the medicine being processed and excreted by your kidneys. It does not mean there is blood in your urine or that your kidneys are damaged. Talk to your doctor if the discolouration is accompanied by pain or other unusual symptoms.
If you experience severe, watery, or frequent diarrhoea, stop taking the medicine immediately and contact your doctor. Severe diarrhoea can quickly lead to dehydration, so it is important to seek medical advice right away. Talk to your doctor before restarting the medicine.
Yes, but you must space them out. Avoid taking antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum at the same time as your dose, as they lower its effectiveness. Take your antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Diacerein. Talk to your pharmacist for a safe schedule.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Both alcohol and this medication can place stress on your liver, and combining them may increase your risk of experiencing liver damage. Talk to your doctor about your alcohol consumption.
Author Details
