ABSTRACT
Diclofenac sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug often obtainable as a prescription drug or over the counter. It is very effective in the control of inflammation and pain due to arthritis or pains arising following many disease conditions becauseof its antipyretic, anti inflammatory and analgesic potentials. Despite the beneficial effects of diclofenac sodium, it has been implicated in some adverse effects. In this study, we examined the effect of acute and chronic administration of diclofenac sodium on some hematological (PCV, WBC differentials) and coagulation (prothrombin time, activated partial prothrombin time and platelets count) parameters of albino Wister rats using the standard methods. Twenty four Albino Wister rats were divided intothree groups of 8 rats and grouped as control, acute study and chronic study. The rats were administered 0.2 mg of diclofenac sodium for 24 hours for acute and 3 weeks for chronic studies respectively. The rats were sacrificed and blood collected for analysis of PCV, WBC differentials, prothrombin time, activated partial prothrombin time and platelets count using the standard methods. Results show that acute administration of diclofenac sodium at 0.2 mg has no effect on hematological and coagulation parameters, but chronic administration could instigate significant reduction in PCV, platelets count, neutrophils and monocytes (p<0.001), whilethere is a significant increase in PT, INR, lymphocytes (p<0.001). Considering these alterations, it is advisable that this drug should be made a strictly prescription drug in order to prevent indiscriminate use of this medication and to prevent attendant anemia and coagulopathy that may follow chronic use.