Yes, Voltaren (diclofenac), both in oral and topical forms, can increase blood pressure. It can cause new onset hypertension or worsen pre-existing high blood pressure, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.
For most people, taking diclofenac is safe. However, if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, your kidneys do not work very well or you smoke, you should check with your healthcare professional that this medicine is appropriate. Use the lowest dose that works for you and stop as soon as you can.
Unless your doctor has told you it's OK, do not use over-the-counter ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or ketoprofen for pain relief. Instead, use a painkiller less likely to increase your blood pressure, like aspirin or acetaminophen. Use as directed.
Voltaren® (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to diclofenac. Voltaren should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Side effects of diclofenac Brand names: Voltarol, Dicloflex, Diclomax, Econac, Motifene
Increased Risks in Adults Over 65
People over 65 face higher risks with Voltaren gel. They might get heart problems or stomach issues. It's key for them to stick to the right dose and see their doctor regularly. Watch for heart problems like chest pain or trouble breathing.
Voltaren gel (diclofenac) is an over-the-counter gel used to treat joint pain from osteoarthritis (OA). It can be applied directly to specific painful joints in the body. Voltaren gel works directly where you apply it with little absorption to the bloodstream.
Voltaren is generally safe when used as prescribed but may be unsafe for people with a history of peptic ulcers or serious heart disease. Taking it with other NSAIDs can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and stomach ulcers. Cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke have also been reported.
Note: Voltaren gel is only meant for external use. Avoid getting the medication in your eyes, mouth, or nose. You also shouldn't apply it to areas of skin that have a cut, rash, or infection.
Some common types of OTC medicines you may need to avoid include: Decongestants, such as those that contain pseudoephedrine. Pain medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Cold and influenza (flu) medicines.
Healthy eating tips to help reduce inflammation
Eat unhealthy foods often, especially foods that are high in salt and low in potassium. Some people, including Black people, older adults, and people who have chronic kidney disease , diabetes, or metabolic syndrome , are more sensitive to salt in their diet. Drink too much alcohol or caffeine.
Acetaminophen is widely regarded as a safe alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients at increased cardiovascular risk, including those taking anticoagulants.
There are 129 drugs known to interact with Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel (diclofenac topical), along with 4 disease interactions, and 1 alcohol/food interaction. Of the total drug interactions, 9 are major, and 120 are moderate.
Amlodipine and celecoxib combination is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis (eg, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain). Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). It affects the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels.
The use of Voltaren® Gel is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to diclofenac. Voltaren® Gel should not be administered in patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Naproxen has been found to have the lowest risk (among NSAIDs) for cardiovascular events. Please discuss this issue with your healthcare provider.
It may increase a patient's risk of heart attack by 40%. The risk of serious heart problems, such as heart attack, increases in patients with a history of cardiovascular issues, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Which NSAID you choose may make a difference. Studies suggest that naproxen (Aleve) is less likely than the other NSAIDs to harm the heart. “If I have to put somebody on chronic NSAIDs, naproxen might be my first choice,” Dr. Abramson says.
Symptoms of carditis
Common symptoms for all three types of heart inflammation include chest pain, shortness of breath and fever. Other signs of carditis are more specific to the type you have, like: Pain in your belly, blood in your pee or night sweats (with endocarditis)
This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 14 years of age. Do not apply the gel to skin that has (i) a rash or eczema (ii) cuts or open wounds. Stop the treatment if a skin rash develops after applying the product.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)
Apply the medicine very carefully to clean, dry skin, and avoid getting any in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not apply this medicine to areas with broken skin or open wounds, infection, or severely peeling skin. Apply enough medicine each time to cover the entire affected area.
Voltaren Emulgel Extra Strength has a higher dosage of the anti-inflammatory diclofenac than the Voltaren Emulgel Back & Muscle Pain. Our Extra Strength gel can be applied once every 12 hours. It also has added permeation enhancer that means more pain-relieving active ingredient penetrates the skin.