Cambia (Diclofenac Potassium) for Migraine

Cambia (diclofenac potassium) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute migraine attacks with or without aura in adults ages 18 years and older.

How Cambia Works and How It’s Taken

Cambia is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. This lowers prostaglandins, which are chemicals in the body linked to pain and inflammation. The exact way Cambia works is not fully understood.

Doctors prescribe Cambia for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults ages 18 years and older.

Cambia is given as an oral powder that is mixed with water and taken by mouth. It is usually taken as a single dose when a migraine attack begins.

Typical Dosing for Migraine

The recommended dose of Cambia for migraine is one 50-milligram packet. Empty the packet into 1 to 2 ounces (2 to 4 tablespoons) of water. Mix well, and drink it right away. Only water should be used for mixing.

Doctors may advise taking it on an empty stomach, because taking it with food may reduce how well it works. The safety and effectiveness of taking a second dose have not been established.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Cambia Side Effects

In clinical trials of a single dose of Cambia for the acute treatment of migraine attacks (with or without aura) in adults ages 18 and older, the most common side effects occurred in about 1 percent to 3 percent of people. These were:

Nausea
Dizziness

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Cambia can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Cardiovascular thrombotic events — These include heart attack or stroke, serious heart and blood vessel events that can be fatal.
Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, or perforation — Bleeding, sores, or a hole in the stomach or intestines can be fatal.
Hepatotoxicity — Liver injury can include hepatitis, jaundice, liver failure, or other severe liver reactions.
Hypertension — Blood pressure that may rise during treatment.
Heart failure and edema — These can cause shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, swelling, or fluid retention.
Renal toxicity and hyperkalemia — Kidney problems can be serious, sometimes with dangerously high potassium levels.
Anaphylaxis — Severe allergic reactions can cause trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
Worsening asthma in people with aspirin sensitivity — This can cause severe breathing problems.
Serious skin reactions — These may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can be life-threatening.
Medication overuse headache — More frequent or daily headaches can arise from using acute migraine medicines too often.
Pregnancy-related fetal harm, especially after 29 weeks of pregnancy — This medication can cause premature closure of a blood vessel in a fetus.
Hematologic toxicity — Bleeding problems including anemia (low red blood cells) or increased risk of bleeding.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Cambia

Assertio Therapeutics, the manufacturer of Cambia, offers the Cambia Savings Card. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0.

The program also offers the option to consult online with an independent, licensed healthcare provider who may help determine whether Cambia is an appropriate prescription treatment for your migraine. To learn more, visit the Cambia site or call 844-546-8634.

What To Know Before Taking Cambia

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to diclofenac potassium or any ingredients in Cambia. Do not take Cambia if you have had an allergic reaction to diclofenac or any of its ingredients.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This is important because Cambia may interact with certain medicines.

Do not take Cambia if you have had asthma, hives, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, or if you are having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Cambia, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Starting at 29 weeks of pregnancy, Cambia and other NSAIDs should be avoided because they may cause harm to a fetus.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Cambia?

In two studies of adults treating a single migraine attack, 24 percent to 25 percent of people who took Cambia were pain-free two hours after treatment, compared with 10 percent to 13 percent of people who took placebo (an inactive treatment).

Pain relief at two hours (defined as going from severe or moderate migraine pain to mild or no pain) was reported by 48 percent to 65 percent of people taking Cambia, compared with 27 percent to 41 percent taking placebo.

Between 19 percent and 22 percent of people taking Cambia stayed pain-free from two to 24 hours after using Cambia, compared with 7 percent to 10 percent taking placebo.

How long does Cambia take to work for migraine?

Cambia starts being absorbed quickly after it is taken. In fasting volunteers, measurable blood levels were seen within five minutes, and peak blood levels were reached in about 15 minutes on average.

In migraine studies, people were checked two hours after taking Cambia. By that time, more people taking Cambia were pain-free or had pain relief compared with people taking placebo. Taking Cambia with food may make it work less well.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Cambia for migraine?

For long-term treatment with NSAIDs, doctors may check blood work from time to time, including a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry profile. This is because serious stomach bleeding, liver problems, and kidney injury can happen without warning symptoms. Blood pressure should also be checked during treatment, especially in people who already have high blood pressure.

If Cambia is used in people with kidney problems, liver problems, heart failure, dehydration, low body fluid levels, or advanced kidney disease, doctors may monitor them more closely for worsening kidney function and other side effects.