Cambia (diclofenac potassium) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat migraine episodes. The drug comes as a powder that you dissolve in water and take by mouth. It’s usually taken as needed to ease migraine symptoms.

Cambia is used in adults to treat migraine episodes with and without aura. Cambia is used to treat a migraine episode that’s already happening. It should not be used to prevent migraine headaches. And it’s unknown whether Cambia is safe to take for a cluster headache.

The active ingredient in Cambia is diclofenac potassium. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

This article describes the dosage of Cambia, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Cambia, see this in-depth article.

Before starting treatment with Cambia, talk with your doctor about any medical conditions you have and other medications you take. This information will help them determine the best dosage of Cambia for you.

Note: The table below highlights the basics of Cambia’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail. And please keep in mind that this article covers Cambia’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions given to you by your doctor.

Cambia formCambia strengthUsual dosage
powder that’s dissolved in water50 milligrams (mg) per packet50 mg as needed for migraine episodes

What is Cambia’s form?

Cambia comes as a powder in a packet. The powder is mixed into water to make a liquid solution that you swallow.

What strength does Cambia come in?

Cambia only comes in one strength: 50 milligrams (mg) per packet.

What is the usual dosage of Cambia?

The information below describes the dosage that is commonly used or recommended.

The usual dosage for a migraine episode that’s already occurring is 50 mg. This is also the maximum daily dose of Cambia. With some migraine medications, you may be able to repeat doses if your symptoms don’t decrease. However, Cambia’s manufacturer does not provide recommendations for repeating doses of this drug.

You should not use this medication to treat a cluster headache. It’s not known whether the drug may be safe or effective for this use.

Cambia is not recommended for preventing migraine episodes. This is not a drug you take a dose of once per day. It should be used only as needed to treat a migraine episode that’s already happening.

Also, you should try not to take Cambia on 10 or more days per month. Doing so may cause medication overuse headaches, which may be more frequent or more severe than your usual migraine headaches. If you develop medication overuse headaches, your doctor will likely pause your treatment with Cambia until your symptoms go away.

If you have questions about the dosage or dosage frequency of Cambia, talk with your doctor.

Is Cambia used long term?

Yes, Cambia can be used as a long-term treatment. But remember that this medication should be used only as needed for already occurring migraine episodes. If you and your doctor determine that Cambia is safe and effective for treating these episodes, you’ll likely use it long term.

Cambia comes as a powder in a packet. Each packet contains 50 milligrams (mg) of the drug. To take your dose, empty the packet into a cup with 1–2 ounces* of water. Then mix the powder into the water to create a liquid solution. Drink this as soon as you mix it. (Do not mix other liquids with Cambia. You should mix it with water only.)

Cambia may work better if you take it on an empty stomach.

For information on Cambia expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

* This is equal to 2–4 tablespoons or 30–60 milliliters (mL).

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Do not use more Cambia than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as Cambia can include:

What to do in case you take too much Cambia

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Cambia. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Cambia for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Cambia without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Cambia exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask them:

  • Will my other medications affect my dose of Cambia?
  • If I’m also taking a migraine prevention medication, will my dose of Cambia be different?
  • If I have side effects from Cambia, can my dosage be decreased?
  • Will other medical conditions I have affect my dosage of Cambia?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

Can my dosage of Cambia be increased if it’s not working to manage my migraine episodes?

Anonymous

A:

No, your doctor will not recommend a dosage increase if the drug isn’t working for you. In this case, they may recommend a different treatment for your migraine episodes.

The recommended dosage of Cambia is 50 milligrams (mg) taken for an in-progress migraine episode. This is also the maximum recommended dosage of Cambia. The safety and effectiveness of taking a second dose of Cambia have not been studied.

If your migraine symptoms aren’t going away after a dose of Cambia, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to recommend a different treatment for you.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Was this helpful?

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.