Two medicines, side by side
Methylprednisolone vs diclofenac
Methylprednisolone and diclofenac are both labeled for osteoarthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of methylprednisolone since 1957 and of diclofenac since 1988. Pharmacies paid $0.121 per methylprednisolone 4 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. Methylprednisolone's other strengths are brand-only: $6.28 per Solu-medrol 40 mg vial. In FDA's classes, methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid and diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the methylprednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026); the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025).
Highlights of the methylprednisolone record
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) · label of June 22, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethylprednisolone tablets are indicated in the following conditions: 1. Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 24, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.121 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 46
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 (Methylprednisolone label of June 22, 2026, Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do methylprednisolone and diclofenac differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid and diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: methylprednisolone since 1978; diclofenac since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Methylprednisolone | Diclofenac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | 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) | October 24, 1957 | July 28, 1988 |
| First generic approved | March 28, 1978 | June 29, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 149 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.121 per tablet (Methylprednisolone 4 mg tablet) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -22% | -25% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 46 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 170,232 | 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)
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 methylprednisolone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions