Make sure you wash your hands before and after using the product, says Dr. You should also keep the impacted area out of direct sunlight or you might develop a skin reaction, she adds.
This is a tricky one, as it really comes down to your specific health insurance coverage. But if your insurance was allowing you to get Voltaren for free or for a minimal co-pay, you might end up shelling out more for the OTC product. Check out PainSpot, our pain locator tool. Answer a few simple questions about what hurts and discover possible conditions that could be causing it.
Start your PainSpot quiz. February 14, Interview with Jonathan M. Laday J. Healio Rheumatology. February 17, Tags: Osteoarthritis. CreakyJoints is a digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research.
We present patients through our popular social media channels, our website CreakyJoints. We represent patients through our popular social media channels, our website CreakyJoints. Only fill in if you are not human. What is Voltaren and what does it treat? Note that the gel has not been shown to work for:. Talk with your healthcare provider before using Voltaren Gel to be sure it's right for you. You may be able to switch to the gel if the oral form of diclofenac and other NSAIDs upset your stomach or you are at risk of side effects.
Most studies have shown that Voltaren Gel can ease pain just as well as its oral counterpart, but the risk of of serious side effects is much lower with the gel. That is because the gel is applied and absorbed through your skin, while the oral form affects your entire body.
This includes damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart. Talk with your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take that might interact with this drug. Medicines to discuss include your complete list of:. While some drugs may interact with the gel in a minor way, other interactions may be more risky.
You and your healthcare provider can discuss what this means to your health status and needs and decide on the best treatment for you. Drugs with black box warnings carry the highest level of caution. This is due to their high risk of serious side effects. Voltaren Gel has the following black box warnings:. Serious side effects can happen without warning. Do not use Voltaren gel in the following circumstances:. Talk with your healthcare provider before using the gel if you:.
It is vital that you talk with your healthcare provider before using this drug if you have any serious health issues such as:. Use the enclosed dosing card to measure the correct dose of Voltaren Gel. The card can be reused to measure to the 2-gram or 4-gram mark. Apply 2 grams of the gel to each upper body part affected:. Apply 4 grams of the gel to each lower body part affected:. The doses can be applied to the affected upper or lower body part up to four times per day as stated above.
Local reactions at the site where the gel was applied were the most common adverse reactions cited in clinical trials. NSAIDs can also:. Watch your blood pressure and keep an eye out for these and other adverse effects while using this drug. Stop using Voltaren Gel and let your healthcare provider know right away should any of these occur.
Also cease use of the drug if lab tests show a high eosinophil count , which can lead to symptoms such as:. Be sure to read the drug label and package insert that comes with Voltaren Gel. These will note the serious adverse reactions that can be caused by this drug. Long-term NSAID use can lead to serious kidney issues such as renal papillary necrosis, a condition in which parts of the kidney die. NSAIDs can also lead to severe and sometimes fatal skin conditions such as:.
Long-term treatment with Voltaren can impact your liver enzymes. These may be higher than normal even before symptoms show up, and they can be a sign of serious liver issues that can be fatal or require a liver transplant.
Using these at the same time ups the total drug dose your body absorbs. This can amplify the risk of side effects. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed.
Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
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