Pennsaid

Generic name: Diclofenac Topical
Drug class: Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

Usage of Pennsaid

Pennsaid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Pennsaid (diclofenac topical 2% solution) is used to treat pain in the knees caused by osteoarthritis.

Pennsaid is for use only on the knees and should not be used on other parts of the body.

Pennsaid side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Pennsaid: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop using Pennsaid and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Stop using Pennsaid and call your doctor at once if you have:

a skin rash, no matter how mild;

shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);

swelling or rapid weight gain;

signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

lnausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;

severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion;

pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or

fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common Pennsaid side effects may include:

indigestion, gas, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;

diarrhea, constipation;

headache, dizziness, drowsiness;

stuffy nose;

itching, increased sweating;

increased blood pressure; or

swelling or pain in your arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Pennsaid

Do not use Pennsaid just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Diclofenac can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while using.

You should not use Pennsaid if you are allergic to diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, Flector, and others)

Do not use Pennsaid if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure Pennsaid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;

a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

asthma;

liver or kidney disease; or

fluid retention.

Diclofenac can affect ovulation and it may be harder to get pregnant while you are using this medicine.

If you are pregnant, you should not use Pennsaid unless your doctor tells you to. Using a NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

It is not known whether diclofenac topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Pennsaid is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Pennsaid

Use Pennsaid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wash your hands after applying Pennsaid, unless you are treating the skin on your hands. Wait at least 10 minutes before dressing or wearing gloves. Wait at least 30 minutes before you bathe or shower.

Wait at until the area is dry before applying cosmetics, sunscreen, lotions, insect repellent, or other medicated skin products on the same area you treat with Pennsaid.

Do not apply Pennsaid to an open skin wound, or on areas of infection, rash, or burn. Do not cover treated skin with a bandage or expose it to heat from a hot tub, heating pad, or sauna.

To treat osteoarthritis knee pain with Pennsaid: Apply the solution only to clean, dry skin. Spread the solution over the front, back, and sides of the knee. Wait until the solution is completely dry before covering treated skin with clothing or applying any other skin products, including sunscreen.

Store Pennsaid at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

Warnings

Pennsaid can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease.

Pennsaid may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

What other drugs will affect Pennsaid

Do not use Pennsaid with aspirin or other NSAID medications (including Celecoxib, Celebrex, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen, Aleve, Anaprox, others).

Ask your doctor before using Pennsaid if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, Sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

aspirin or other NSAID pain medications (including celecoxib, Celebrex, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen, Aleve, Anaprox, and others);

antidepressant medications;

cyclosporine;

lithium;

methotrexate;

a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or

steroid medicine (prednisone and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with diclofenac topical, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.