Diclofenac sodium-bearing magnetic erythrocytes were prepared using a preswell technique. The optimum loading of drug and magnetite achieved were 63-73 and 12-18 per cent, respectively. Drug-loaded erythrocytes and drug-loaded magnetic erythrocytes were characterized for in vitro drug and haemoglobin release, magnetic responsiveness, osmotic fragility, turbulence shock, morphology and percentage cell recovery. The drug-loaded magnetic erythrocytes were found less resistant to osmotic and turbulence shock when compared with the normal and drug-loaded erythrocytes. However, in optimum concentration erythrocytes tolerated drug and coated magnetite appreciably. The drug-loaded magnetic erythrocytes responded effectively for an external magnetic field of 8.0 kOe. The study suggested the potentiality of diclofenac sodium-loaded magnetic erythrocytes, for active delivery of drug to painful inflamed joints.