Two medicines, side by side
Diclofenac vs etodolac
Diclofenac and etodolac are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diclofenac since 1988 and of etodolac since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet and $0.262 per etodolac 400 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025); the etodolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 16, 2026).
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
Highlights of the etodolac record
Etodolac (Lodine) · label of July 16, 2026
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use [see Warnings and Precautions ]. Etodolac tablets, 400 mg and 500 mg are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Contraindications and Warnings ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of etodolac tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use etodolac tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.262 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025, Etodolac label of July 16, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diclofenac and etodolac differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: diclofenac since 1995; etodolac since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diclofenac | Etodolac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. Etodolac is a racemic mixture of [-]R- and [+]S-etodolac. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of etodolac is 6.4 hours (22% CV). |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 28, 1988 | January 31, 1991 |
| First generic approved | June 29, 1995 | February 28, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 149 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) | $0.262 per tablet (Etodolac 400 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -25% | +0.9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 158,675 | 5,958 |
| 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)
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.
Etodolac label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of etodolac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to diclofenac
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions