Cambia (diclofenac potassium) may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain factors, including fetal harm, may determine whether you should take the drug during this time.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Risk of serious cardiovascular side effects: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Cambia, can increase the risk for serious cardiovascular side effects. Examples include heart attack and stroke. These side effects can happen at any time while you’re taking Cambia, even with short-term use. Taking Cambia for a long time and at a higher dose can further raise this risk.
Certain factors can increase your risk of serious cardiovascular side effects with Cambia. Before you begin taking Cambia, tell your doctor about your complete medical history. They’ll review it for possible risk factors before prescribing Cambia and determine whether the medication is safe for you to take.
Be aware of signs of a heart attack and stroke symptoms to watch for if you’re prescribed Cambia. Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the closest emergency room if you develop these symptoms while taking Cambia.
Risk of serious gastrointestinal side effects: Cambia, as with other NSAIDs, can increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Examples include bleeding, ulcers, and perforations (holes) in your digestive tract. These effects can happen even with short-term Cambia treatment. Long-term use and taking a higher Cambia dose can further raise this risk.
Certain people, including older adults (age 65 years and above) and people with peptic ulcer, have an increased risk of serious GI side effects from Cambia. Other risk factors for serious GI side effects while taking Cambia include alcohol consumption, tobacco use, serious liver problems, and taking certain medications. You can learn more about Cambia and alcohol later in this article.
Contact your doctor right away if you think you’re experiencing symptoms of a serious GI side effect while taking Cambia. But if your symptoms feel severe, go to the closest emergency room or call 911.
To learn more about these warnings, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Show MoreIf you may be or can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Cambia is a safe option for you.
Doctors prescribe Cambia to treat migraine episodes. It’s important to note that not treating this condition during pregnancy may also carry certain risks.
Because of this, you and your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of taking Cambia while pregnant versus not treating your condition during pregnancy.
It may not be safe to take Cambia during pregnancy. Studies showed that Cambia treatment during early pregnancy wasn’t harmful to a developing fetus. This was during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
However, animal studies showed that Cambia may affect a developing fetus. Specifically, after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, kidney problems in a developing fetus and placenta problems occurred. Also, animal studies showed that taking Cambia at 30 weeks or later may cause problems with fetal heart development.
Due to these possible risks, your doctor may recommend limiting or avoiding Cambia treatment during weeks 20 and later of pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor to determine whether Cambia is a safe treatment option for you. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a different drug during pregnancy.
Fertility and Cambia
Note: In this article, we use the terms “females” and “males” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For more information, see this article about the difference between sex and gender.
It’s possible for Cambia to delay ovulation in females. (Ovulation occurs when an ovary releases an egg.) This may make it harder for you to become pregnant while taking Cambia. This effect may happen because Cambia blocks substances called prostaglandins, which help ovaries release eggs. If you’re trying to get pregnant, this delay in egg release may go away once you stop taking the drug.
If you’re having trouble becoming pregnant, your doctor may recommend stopping your Cambia treatment. Talk with your doctor to find out whether Cambia is a safe treatment option for you if you’re trying to get pregnant.
The manufacturer of Cambia hasn’t stated whether this drug affects male fertility (the ability to make someone pregnant).
If you have questions about Cambia and fertility, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that Cambia could have on you or the breastfed child.
It’s not known whether Cambia is safe to take while breastfeeding. The drug may pass into breast milk. However, it’s not known what effects the drug may have on a breastfed child.
If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your doctor to determine whether Cambia is a safe treatment option for you and your child.
If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, it’s important to consider how Cambia could affect your birth control options.
It may not be safe to take Cambia during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking Cambia.
For more information about Cambia and birth control, talk with your doctor.
