Article: Diflunisal

Diflunisal
Systematic (IUPAC) name
5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid
Identifiers
CAS number	22494-42-4
ATC code	N02BA11
PubChem	3059
DrugBank	APRD00922
Chemical data
Formula	C13H8F2O3
Mol. weight	250.198 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	80-90%
Protein binding	More than 99% of diflunisal in plasma is bound to proteins.
Metabolism	Liver
Half life	8 to 12 hours.
Excretion	Urine
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C
Legal status
Routes	Oral

Diflunisal is a generic NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug). It is often used under the brand name Dolobid® marketed by Merck & Co.. Diflunisal acts by inhibiting the production of prostaglandin, a hormone that creates inflammation and stimulates the neuro receptors for pain. Though Diflunisal has an onset of 1 hour, and maximum analgesia at 2 to 3 hours, the diflunisal plasma levels will not be steady until repeated doesages are achieved. To increase the rate at which the diflunisal plasma levels become steady, a loading dose is usually used. It is primarily used to treat symptoms of arthritis.

Overdose

Deaths that have occurred from Diflunisal usually involved mixed drugs and or extremely high dosages. The oral LD50 is 500mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include, coma, tachycardia, stupor, and vomiting. The lowest dose without the presence of other medicines which caused death was 15 grams. Mixed with other medicines, a death at 7.5 grams has also occurred. Diflunisal usually comes in 250 or 500mg, thus it is relatively hard to overdose by accident.