Voltaren is used to treat symptoms of pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, dysmenorrhea, and mild-to-moderate pain. Voltaren may be used alone or with other medications.

General Information

Voltaren (diclofenac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. Voltaren oral tablets are used to treat mild to moderate pain, or signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Voltaren is also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis. Voltaren ophthalmic eyedrops are used to treat pain, inflammation, and light sensitivity after eye surgery or for certain eye conditions. Voltaren gel is used to treat osteoarthritis of the knees and hands. Voltaren is an NSAID that people take for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, injury, or surgery. Voltaren works by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and-2, which causes the body to make less prostaglandins, the chemicals that cause inflammation. A person can get Voltaren over the counter at a pharmacy, or through a doctor’s prescription. The treatment is available as an oral tablet, an IV solution, and most commonly as a gel. It is also available as a suppository in some countries, such as Canada. A person can apply the gel in specific amounts directly to the affected joints. Voltaren is more potent than NSAIDs like ibuprofen and non-opioid painkillers like Tylenol. It is less potent than opioid medications like codeine and morphine. Voltaren has potential side effects such as headaches, diarrhea, and dizziness. Some people may experience more serious side effects such as swelling in the face, rash, and fever. If a person experiences serious side effects, they should contact their doctor.

Differences between Voltaren and other pain relievers

Voltaren differs from other NSAIDs in the way that people commonly use it. Most often, people use Voltaren in gel form, while people usually take other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen orally. However, diclofenac treatments aside from Voltaren are also available as patches, powders, and capsules. Studies have found diclofenac to be more effective than other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, celecoxib, and naproxen in reducing pain. Researchers also concluded it was more effective than paracetamol (Tylenol), a non-opioid painkiller. Doctors consider diclofenac more potent than other NSAID and non-opioid painkillers such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. Only adults receive prescriptions for diclofenac. Those with prescriptions will need to use or take it two or three times per day. With other NSAID painkillers, an individual will need to take them in higher doses to treat pain from arthritis. Diclofenac has similar side effects to other NSAIDs. Opioid painkillers, such as tramadol, morphine, and codeine, are more potent than Voltaren. A person requires a prescription for these, and they treat moderate to severe pain.

How should I take Voltaren?

Take Voltaren exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition. Different brands of diclofenac contain different amounts of diclofenac, and may have different uses. If you switch brands, your dose needs may change. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much medicine to take. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the brand of diclofenac you receive at the pharmacy. Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. If you use Voltaren long-term, you may need frequent medical tests. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs unless your doctor tells you to. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to diclofenac (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Voltaren side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Voltaren (hives, difficult 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). Get emergency medical help 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. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

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.

Voltaren Dosage and Administration

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of VOLTAREN® (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets) and other treatment options before deciding to use VOLTAREN. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

After observing the response to initial therapy with VOLTAREN, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient’s needs.

For the relief of osteoarthritis, the recommended dosage is 100 to 150 mg/day in divided doses (50 mg twice a day or three times a day, or 75 mg twice a day).

For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended dosage is 150 to 200 mg/day in divided doses (50 mg three times a day. or four times a day, or 75 mg twice a day.).

For the relief of ankylosing spondylitis, the recommended dosage is 100 to 125 mg/day, administered as 25 mg four times a day, with an extra 25-mg dose at bedtime if necessary.

Different formulations of diclofenac [VOLTAREN® (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets); VOLTAREN®Â­XR (diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets); CATAFLAM® (diclofenac potassium immediate-release tablets)] are not necessarily bioequivalent even if the milligram strength is the same.

What is Voltaren gel used for?

Voltaren gel is used topically on the skin to provide temporary relief of joint pain. This pain remedy is recommended for treating pain and tenderness from the most common type of arthritis: osteoarthritis in the knees, hands, and other joints. Voltaren pain-relieving gel may also be used to help ease aching joints due to rheumatoid arthritis or soothe sore muscles and minor back pain. Voltaren gel and other pain-relieving gels and creams may be a good option if you prefer to take less pain medication by mouth such as oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In higher doses, diclofenac gel is also used to treat a skin condition called actinic keratosis. However, Voltaren gel for arthritis pain does not contain a high enough concentration of the active ingredient diclofenac to be used for this condition.

How does Voltaren gel for arthritis pain work?

A doctor may recommend trying Voltaren gel alone if you have mild to moderate arthritis pain, or using it in addition to oral medication for worse arthritis pain. Voltaren gel contains an NSAID medication that is similar to the pain drug ibuprofen. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation and works best on small joints. Voltaren topical gel is not for immediate relief and may take up to 7 days to work.

How well does Voltaren gel work?

Voltaren gel for arthritis and other types of diclofenac gel may help to provide some relief for joint pain. However, it might depend on how severe your arthritis pain is. A review, which looked at 39 studies with 10,631 individuals with arthritis joint pain, found that topical diclofenac gel “can provide good levels of pain relief in osteoarthritis” for about 10 percent of people with this type of joint pain. How well a topical gel such as Voltaren works may also depend on how much of the pain-relieving medication diclofenac sodium it contains. A research trial on how well a topical gel with 3.06 percent of diclofenac worked to ease pain due to osteoarthritis in the knee reported that the gel worked better than a placebo gel with no diclofenac at all. People in the study applied the gel twice a day for 4 weeks. Voltaren gel for arthritis pain that is available OTC contains 1 percent diclofenac. You may need a prescription to get topical gels with a higher percentage of this pain medicine.

Precautions for Voltaren gel

If a person applies Voltaren gel, they should avoid:

Where can i get Voltaren?

A doctor may prescribe Voltaren. A person also can get it themselves at a pharmacy, because the FDA has approved Voltaren for over the counter sale.

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