The gel's active ingredients still make it into your bloodstream and can still affect your cardiovascular system. But the amount absorbed is much less, reducing your heart risk compared with oral NSAIDs.
(Basis: treatment with Voltaren® Gel of 1 knee, 4 times a day versus 50 mg, 3 times a day of oral diclofenac tablets). The amount of diclofenac sodium that is systemically absorbed from Voltaren® Gel is on average 6% of the systemic exposure from an oral form of diclofenac sodium.
It has a relatively low amount of drug systemically absorbed. From the package insert, there is about 6% of the drug absorbed compared to the oral formulation. This means that the renal, GI, and other potential negative risks from topical diclofenac should be very low compared to oral dosage forms.
Voltaren gel is usually applied four times a day. You might get some relief quickly (within half an hour), but if often takes a few days of use for the full benefits to kick in. Make sure you wash your hands before and after using the product, says Dr.
Symptoms of overdose/swallowing may include: severe stomach pain, change in the amount of urine, slow/shallow breathing. Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, complete blood count, liver/kidney function) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.
Voltaren gel can be applied up to 4 times a day. But you shouldn't apply it to more than 2 painful joints at one time. You also shouldn't use it for more than 21 days. If you feel you still need it after that, it's time to check with a healthcare provider.
For superficial joints – like hands, wrists and even knees – it can be very effective. However, the joints of the cervical spine in the neck, and most of the shoulder joint, are deeper than the Voltaren can penetrate. Voltaren is not appreciably absorbed into the blood, so all of its actions are local.
Voltaren gels penetrate the skin to the underlying tissues and treat the cause of pain.
In certain people, Voltaren can increase the risks of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Certain factors, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) use and chronic health conditions, can contribute to this risk.
For osteoarthritis of the hands, elbows, or wrists using Voltaren® 1% gel: Adults—Apply 2 grams (g) to the affected skin areas four times a day (a total of 8 g each day). However, the total dose should not exceed 32 g per day over all affected joints. Use the enclosed dosing card to measure the appropriate dose.
Postmarketing reports of drug-induced hepatotoxicity have been reported in the first month of treatment with diclofenac, but can occur at any time. These reports include cases of severe hepatic reactions, including liver necrosis, jaundice, fulminant hepatitis with and without jaundice, and liver failure.
Diclofenac is both a COX-1 and COX-2-inhibitor. However, studies show that the extent of inhibition of COX-2 is up to 4 times that of COX-1. By inhibiting COX, diclofenac prevents inflammation. This drug is one of the few NSAIDs that can cross the blood-brain barrier and bring down inflammation in the spinal cord.
Comparison of skin permeability for three diclofenac topical formulations: an in vitro study. Pharmazie 2014;69:27-31 [PubMed], [Web of Science ®], [Google Scholar]. An aqueous solution of diclofenac has been shown to penetrate to a depth of around 3–4 mm into the underlying dermis and subcutaneous tissue56.
This medicine may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease or in people who use this medicine for a long time. This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or bowels. These problems can happen without warning signs.
Voltaren Gel® is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that treats joint pain caused by arthritis. The medication in Voltaren Gel is diclofenac. It works by decreasing inflammation.
Voltaren helps alleviate joint pain due to arthritis in the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, and knees. Apply Voltaren gel to the skin over the affected part of the body. Do not use on more than two body areas at the same time.
"Don't use Voltaren gel on your back, hips, or shoulders. According to the National Library of Medicine, Voltaren gel hasn't been studied for use on the hips, …"
But treating it seems very difficult. Backing up a 2015 study showing paracetamol is ineffective for back pain, our latest research shows non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Nurofen and Voltaren, provide minimal benefits and high risk of side effects.
People who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as topical diclofenac (Pennsaid, Voltaren) may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than people who do not use these medications. These events may happen without warning and may cause death.
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.
Of the OTC products discussed here, the OTC products with lidocaine are the best and most effective for nerve pain. Lidocaine is an anesthetic and works by blocking nerve conduction to numb the feeling of pain. This makes the lidocaine versions of Aspercreme, Icy Hot, and Bengay better for nerve pain than Voltaren.
“NSAIDs, including Voltaren Gel, can lead to the onset of new hypertension or worsening of preexisting hypertension, either of which may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular events…Blood pressure should be monitored closely during the initiation of therapy with Voltaren Gel and throughout the course ...
Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as neck pain. Neck pain can be the result of stress, tension and poor posture and tends to affect us more as we age.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can relieve shoulder pain by reducing inflammation in the shoulder joint. Ibuprofen and naproxen are two NSAIDs doctors commonly recommend. If over-the-counter NSAIDs don't relieve your pain, your doctor may prescribe a stronger dose for weeks or months.
Gently rub into the skin above where you are experiencing pain. Apply Voltaren gel as often as the label says. Regain your joy of movement. Feel better.