Voltaren and Weight Gain

While there appears to be a link between weight gain and Voltaren use, it occurs in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug. Gradual weight gain can often be managed through lifestyle choices, like limiting alcohol use and eating a heart-healthy diet. However, if weight gain occurs rapidly while taking Voltaren, this could indicate congestive heart failure and should be reported to your healthcare provider.

Voltaren Drug

Does Voltaren Cause Weight Gain?

Problems have been reported in people taking Voltaren^® (diclofenac sodium). Gradual weight gain is rarely reported, however. In clinical studies, weight gain occurred in less than 1 percent of people taking Voltaren. Weight gain also occurred just as often in the group of people not taking Voltaren. This is why it is not possible to say whether the medication, other factors, or a combination of both played a role in this gradual weight gain.

(The information in this article applies only to the tablet forms of this medication -- Voltaren and Voltaren-XR. This article does not apply to Voltaren^® Gel or Voltaren Ophthalmic^® eye drops.)

Understanding Clinical Trials

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies, where thousands of people are given a particular medicine and then compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they occur, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. Side effects are then usually separated into those that occurred in more than 1 percent of people (common side effects) and those that occurred in less than 1 percent of people (rare side effects).

(Voltaren and Weight Gain Continued: Page 2)