Two medicines, side by side
Diclofenac vs methyl salicylate
Diclofenac and methyl salicylate are both labeled for pain. Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025); the methyl salicylate FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 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 methyl salicylate record
Methyl salicylate · label of July 10, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsUses for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, strains, bruises and sprains provides penetrating pain relief provides warming pain relief
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025, Methyl salicylate label of July 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diclofenac and methyl salicylate differ on the record?
Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: diclofenac since 1995; methyl salicylate none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Diclofenac | Methyl salicylate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 28, 1988 | n/a |
| First generic approved | June 29, 1995 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 149 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | -25% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| 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 | 228 |
| 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.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to diclofenac
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions