Voltaren and Weight Gain

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

 

Voltaren and Weight Gain: An Overview

Problems have been reported in people taking Voltaren® (diclofenac sodium). Gradual weight gain is one of these problems that are only 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.
 

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 more in than 1 percent of people (common side effects) and those that occurred in less than 1 percent of people (rare side effects).
 

Voltaren and Rapid Weight Gain

One very important point to keep in mind related to Voltaren and weight gain is that all NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including Voltaren, may cause congestive heart failure. One of the main symptoms of congestive heart failure is unexplained weight gain. In fact, people with congestive heart failure can often have rapid weight gain occur over a couple of days. This weight gain is often combined with other symptoms, such as a cough and swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs. Make sure to contact your healthcare provider if you are taking Voltaren and notice rapid, unexplained weight gain or swelling.
 
(Voltaren and Weight Gain Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;