Two medicines, side by side

Aspirin vs diclofenac

Aspirin and diclofenac are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aspirin since 1965 and of diclofenac since 1988. Pharmacies paid $0.0142 per aspirin ec 81 mg tablet and $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.

Check it at the source: the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025); the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025).

Highlights of the aspirin record

Aspirin (Measurin) · label of September 9, 2025

Used for

From the label: indications
Temporarily relieves headache toothache pain and fever of colds muscle pain menstrual pain minor pain of arthritis

On the market

Earliest approval on file: June 25, 1965
Generic labelers: none listed
Pharmacy cost: $0.0142 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: A presentation being discontinued
Recalls: 1

Highlights of the diclofenac record

Diclofenac (Voltaren) · label of February 11, 2025

Used for

From the label: indications
• for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: o hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) o foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) • this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.

On the market

Earliest approval on file: July 28, 1988
Generic labelers: 149 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.0619 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: A presentation being discontinued
Recalls: 6

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Aspirin label of September 9, 2025, Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do aspirin and diclofenac differ on the record?

Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.

Generics: aspirin none approved; diclofenac since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).

	Aspirin	Diclofenac
Labeled for	Pain, Cough and cold, Fever	Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine
Pharmacologic class	n/a	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
How it works (label)	n/a	n/a
Half-life (label)	n/a	n/a
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)	June 25, 1965	July 28, 1988
First generic approved	none	June 29, 1995
Generic labelers (NDC)	none listed	149 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)	$0.0142 per tablet (Aspirin ec 81 mg tablet)	$0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet)
12-month price change	-2%	-25%
Boxed warning	No	Yes
Shortage now	A presentation being discontinued	A presentation being discontinued
Recalls recorded	1	6
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)	534,208	158,675
DEA schedule	none	none

Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)

Do their labels mention each other?

Diclofenac label, contraindications (prescription label)
Diclofenac sodium topical gel should not be administered in patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Diclofenac label, drug interactions (prescription label)
Concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects including increased GI bleeding.

What both labels say about taking them together

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What do the labels say about using others of their kind?

Diclofenac label, drug interactions (prescription label)
The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What next?

Aspirin: the full record
Diclofenac: the full record
Alternatives to aspirin: every medicine labeled for the same conditions