Voltaren
® (
diclofenac sodium) belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs). Voltaren is used to reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness caused by several
types of arthritis.
Voltaren is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
What Is Voltaren Used For?
Voltaren uses include the relief of:
Voltaren is not a cure for these types of
arthritis, however, nor does it slow down the progression of these diseases.
Voltaren and other NSAIDs work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
By blocking the effects of prostaglandins, Voltaren is useful at reducing pain, inflammation, and joint swelling associated with different forms of arthritis and other diseases.
When and How Do I Take Voltaren?
General considerations for when and how to take Voltaren include the following:
- Voltaren comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth.
- Your Voltaren dosage should be taken with a glass of water. Taking it with milk or food may prevent stomach upset.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the Voltaren tablets.
- It may take several weeks for the full effects of Voltaren to be felt.
- It is important to take the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time in order to treat your condition. This will decrease the chances of serious side effects.
- Voltaren should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
- For Voltaren to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Voltaren will not work if you take it in a way other than how your healthcare provider recommends.
Dosing Information for Voltaren
The dose of Voltaren your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you are currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(The side effects listed below are not a complete list of possible side effects with Voltaren. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Voltaren. However, not everyone who takes Voltaren will experience side effects. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by your healthcare provider.
Common side effects with Voltaren include:
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Gas
- Unexplained bleeding
- Ulcer in the stomach or intestines (peptic ulcer)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anemia
- Dizziness
- Swelling
- Increase in liver enzymes
- Headache
- Itching
- Unexplained rash
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Some less common but serious side effects include:
- Cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack or stroke
- Stomach or intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, or a hole (known as a perforation)
- Liver damage
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure
- Fluid retention
- Congestive heart failure
- Allergic reaction
- Unexplained rash.
These possible side effects are shared with all
NSAIDs and can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
Drug Interactions With Voltaren
Voltaren: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using
NSAIDs, including Voltaren, may be at higher risk for
heart attack or
stroke than those who do not take NSAIDs. This warning does not apply to those who take aspirin. In addition, this risk may be higher in people who have been taking NSAIDs for a long time. These events can occur without warning and can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or ever have had any of the following:
You should also talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking Voltaren if you have:
- Asthma
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Bleeding problems (or if you are taking medicine that decreases the blood's ability to clot)
- Diabetes
- Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either condition
- Any allergies to medicines, including aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Voltaren and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Smoke
- Are having or have recently had heart surgery.
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take a Voltaren Overdose?
People who take too much Voltaren may have overdose symptoms that could include but are not limited to:
- Bleeding
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Excessive sleepiness.
If you happen to overdose on Voltaren, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Voltaren Be Stored?
Voltaren should be stored at room temperature. Voltaren tablets should be kept in an airtight container.
Keep Voltaren and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Voltaren?
If you do not take your Voltaren as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
Voltaren tablets are available in several strengths, including
- Voltaren 25 mg
- Voltaren 50 mg
- Voltaren 75 mg
- Voltaren-XR® 100 mg.
Voltaren and Voltaren-XR are both available in generic forms
(see Generic Voltaren for more information).
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