Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

Generic name: Diclofenac Topical
Brand names: Voltaren Arthritis Pain
Drug class: Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

Usage of Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel contains diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel is used to treat joint pain caused by osteoarthritis in the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, or feet.

Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel may not be effective in treating arthritis pain elsewhere in the body.

Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel (hives, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, wheezing or trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using Voltaren gel 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 Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel and seek emergency medical attention 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.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

a skin rash, no matter how mild;

swelling, rapid weight gain;

severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

little or no urination;

liver problems - nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or

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

Common Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel side effects may include:

heartburn, gas, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;

diarrhea, constipation;

headache, dizziness, drowsiness;

stuffy nose;

itching, increased sweating;

increased blood pressure; or

skin redness, itching, dryness, scaling, or peeling where the medicine was applied.

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 Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel 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 Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

You should not use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel if you are allergic to diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, Flector, and others), or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist 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; ot

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 Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel 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 may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Relate drugs

How to use Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

1% Gel: Lower Extremities: Apply 4 g to the affected foot, knee, or ankle 4 times a day and rub in gently; not to exceed 16 g/day to any single joint of the lower extremities Upper Extremities: Apply 2 g to the affected hand, wrist, or elbow 4 times a day and rub in gently; not to exceed 8 g/day to any single joint of the upper extremities Maximum dose: 32 g/day over all affected joints Comments: -When used on the lower extremities, the gel should be applied to the entire affected foot, knee, or ankle; the entire foot includes the sole, the top of the foot, and the toes. -When used on the upper extremities, apply to the entire affected hand, wrist, or elbow; the entire hand includes the palm, the back of the hands, and the fingers. -The accompanying dosing card should be used for application; consult manufacturer product information for instructions. Use: For the relief of pain associated with osteoarthritis of the joints amenable to topical treatment, such as the knees and those of the hands; this drug has not been evaluated for use on the spine, hip, or shoulder.

Warnings

You should not use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel if you have ever had asthma or a severe allergic reaction caused by aspirin, diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

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

Diclofenac may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel, especially in older adults.

What other drugs will affect Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

Ask your doctor before using Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel 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:

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

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