Two medicines, side by side

Diclofenac vs oxycodone

Diclofenac and oxycodone are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diclofenac since 1988 and of oxycodone since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet and $0.0884 per oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oxycodone an opioid agonist.

Check it at the source: the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025); the oxycodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 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 oxycodone record

Oxycodone (Oxycontin) · label of May 6, 2026

Boxed warning

SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets expose users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient's risk before prescribing and reassess regularly for these behaviors and conditions.

Used for

From the label: indications
Oxycodone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets are an opioid agonist indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: October 26, 1998
Generic labelers: 32 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.0884 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 11

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025, Oxycodone label of May 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do diclofenac and oxycodone differ on the record?

In FDA's classes, diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oxycodone an opioid agonist.

Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.

Generics: diclofenac since 1995; oxycodone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).

DEA schedule: diclofenac none; oxycodone CII.

	Diclofenac	Oxycodone
Labeled for	Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine	Pain
Pharmacologic class	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug	Opioid Agonist
How it works (label)	n/a	Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of oxycodone is analgesia.
Half-life (label)	n/a	Apparent elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets was 3.5 to 4 hours.
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)	July 28, 1988	October 26, 1998
First generic approved	June 29, 1995	February 6, 2004
Generic labelers (NDC)	149 labelers	32 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)	$0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet)	$0.0884 per tablet (Oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet)
12-month price change	-25%	-6%
Boxed warning	Yes	Yes
Shortage now	A presentation being discontinued	No current entry
Recalls recorded	6	11
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)	158,675	311,625
DEA schedule	none	CII

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.

Oxycodone label, warnings and precautions
Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids …

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What next?

Diclofenac: the full record
Oxycodone: the full record
Alternatives to diclofenac: every medicine labeled for the same conditions