Cambia (diclofenac potassium) is a brand-name medication prescribed to treat migraine headaches in adults. As with other drugs, Cambia can cause side effects, such as nausea and dizziness.

Cambia has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Cambia can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Cambia in clinical trials:

  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • edema (swelling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs)

Mild side effects can occur with Cambia. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more details, you can refer to Cambia’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Cambia include:

  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • edema (swelling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs)
  • dizziness
  • heartburn

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Cambia and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Cambia may cause serious side effects. The list that follows may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more details, you can refer to Cambia’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Cambia, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • high blood pressure, which typically doesn’t cause symptoms. Severe high blood pressure may include symptoms such as:
  • serious skin reactions, which may include symptoms such as:
  • kidney problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • having to urinate more often than usual
    • muscle weakness or cramps
  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
  • anemia, which may include symptoms such as:
    • dizziness
    • fatigue
    • shortness of breath
  • increased risk of gastrointestinal problems*
  • increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems*

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Cambia can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Cambia, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Cambia may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can you take Cambia with Advil?

Cambia and Advil both belong to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). You should not take Cambia with any other NSAIDs, including ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac (Voltaren) gel. Taking Cambia with other NSAIDs may increase your risk of severe side effects such as stomach bleeds, heart attack, or stroke.

NSAIDs include many over-the-counter (OTC) cold and pain medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about OTC medications you can take with Cambia.

How long does Cambia stay in your system?

It will take about 5 to 10 hours for most of the drug to be cleared from your body. This is estimated based on the half-life of the drug. The half-life is the time it takes for the amount of drug in your body to decrease by half. Other factors, such as age, the medications you take, or how well your liver and kidneys work, can affect how long the medication stays in your system.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how long Cambia stays in your system.

How is Cambia different from other medications that contain diclofenac sodium?

The active ingredient in Cambia is diclofenac potassium. Diclofenac potassium and diclofenac sodium are different salt forms of the drug. The salt form affects how fast diclofenac gets absorbed into your body and how fast the medication starts working. Medications containing diclofenac potassium, such as Cambia, are absorbed by the body faster than medications containing diclofenac sodium.

Both forms of diclofenac have similar mild and serious side effects. Diclofenac sodium is also available in a gel that is applied to your skin. Diclofenac gel (Voltaren) isn’t absorbed by your entire body, so may cause fewer serious side effects. The most common side effect of diclofenac gel is skin irritation where the gel is applied.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the different medications and how the side effects compare.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Cambia may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Cambia.

Risk of serious digestive problems

Cambia has a boxed warning for the increased risk of serious digestive problems. All NSAIDs, including Cambia, can increase the risk of serious digestive problems, such as inflammation, bleeding, or a tear in your esophagus, stomach, or intestines. These side effects weren’t common in the drug’s clinical trials.

Serious digestive problems may cause symptoms such as:

You may be at a higher risk of serious digestive problems if you’ve had a stomach bleed in the past. Other factors that may increase your risk include:

  • taking an NSAID for a long time
  • smoking
  • alcohol consumption
  • serious liver problems
  • older age
  • use of certain medications, such as oral corticosteroids, aspirin, or blood thinners

What you can do

To help lower your risk for serious digestive problems when taking Cambia, try to use the lowest dose that works for you for the shortest time possible. Do not take more than one NSAID at a time.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the risk factors that are listed. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Cambia with you and determine whether it’s a safe treatment option for you. They may recommend a different medication to treat your migraine headaches.

Tell your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious digestive problem. If you feel your symptoms are serious or life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Risk of serious cardiovascular problems

There is a boxed warning for an increased risk of cardiovascular problems while taking Cambia. Cardiovascular problems affect your heart and blood vessels and include conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. These can be serious or even life threatening. However, these side effects were rare in clinical trials of Cambia.

A heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in the arteries that lead to your heart. A heart attack may cause symptoms such as:

  • pain or tightening in your chest
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • pain that spreads to your neck, jaw, arms, or back

A stroke occurs when there is a blockage or bleed in the blood vessels that lead to the brain. A stroke may cause symptoms such as:

  • sudden severe headache
  • weakness, particularly on one side of the body
  • difficulty talking
  • confusion

The increase in risk of heart attack or stroke begins as early as a few weeks after starting treatment with Cambia. Certain risk factors may further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. These include a history of cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, recent heart surgery, or the use of higher doses of Cambia.

What you can do

Your doctor will recommend that you use the lowest dose that works for you for the shortest amount of time possible to lower your risk of serious cardiovascular events.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems before starting treatment with Cambia. They will determine whether it’s a safe treatment option for you.

If you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Here is important information you should consider before taking Cambia.

Cambia has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Cambia, discuss your health history with your doctor. Cambia may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.