Voltaren

Drug name: Voltaren

Other names used:

• Imflac®
• Pennsaid®
• Voltarol®

Active Ingredients:

• diclofenac sodium

Therapeutic actions: Voltaren belongs to a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID's for short. It is a derivative of phenylacetic acid. The drug exerts anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect. This effect is reached through non selective inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2, interrupting the metabolism of arachidonic acid and lowering the quantity of progesterone in the inflamed region. Voltaren is most effective in treating of pain that is caused by inflammation and as all NSAID's exerts antiaggregation activity. Regarding Voltaren gel water-ethanol basis has local anesthetic effect.

Indications: Systemic Voltaren is used for the following conditions:

• Inflammatory and degenerative illnesses of the locomotor system:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Podagra
• Arthritis caused by Reiter syndrome
• Neurological amyotrophy
• Juvenile arthritis
• Pain syndrome of different origin and severity:
• headache
• tooth ache
• Lumbago
• Neuralgia
• Myalgia
• Bursitis
• Ishiasis
• Post-traumatic and post-surgical pain syndrome accompanied by inflammation
• Oncological pain
• Algodismenorrhea
• Inflammation of the small pelvis
• Birth pain

Infectious-inflammative diseases of the ENT organs with expressed pain syndrome as a part of complex therapy:

• Pharingytis
• Tonsilitis
• Otitis
• Fever syndrome in infectious diseases.
• The gel is used locally to treat:
• Local inflammation and pain

Contraindications and cautions: Voltaren should not be used in the following conditions:

Hypersensitivity to any components of the preparations or an allergic reaction that was earlier experienced for NSAID's.

• Aspirin induced asthma
• Blood production disorders
• Blood-clotting disorders
• Acute stomach ulcer or other erosive conditions of the stomach
• Stomach bleeding
• Pregnancy
• Lactation period
• Young age less then 6 years old

Do not use Voltaren suppositories if you have:

• Rectal bleeding
• Hemorrhoids
• Trauma or inflammation of the recum.

Do not use Voltaren gel in the following conditions:

• Wounded or burned place of applying

IF any of the above apply to you consult your doctor before using Voltaren or any other NSAID's.

Be careful when using the drug in such conditions as:

• Anemia
• Bronchial asthma
• Heart problems
• Hypertension
• Swelling syndrome
• Liver or renal insufficiency
• Alcoholism
• Diverticulitis
• Diabetes
• Old age
• After-surgical period
• Hepatic porphyrias in acute stage.

Consult your doctor on the possible cautions that may apply yo you during long treatment with Voltaren.

Adverse effects: There are possible side-effects associated with this medicine that can affect individuals in different ways. If a side effect is stated here, that does not necessarily mean the fact that all people using Voltaren will experience it or any other. The side-effects for Voltaren include:

• Gastro-intestinal tract: Abdominal pain, gases, diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation, increased activity of liver enzymes, peptic ulcer, stomach bleeding. Rare side-effects: vomiting, jaundice, blood in the stool, gullet damage, stomatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepato-renal syndrome, change of appetite, pancreatitis, colitis.
• Central-nervous system: Headache, vertigo. Rare: sleep disorders, somnulence, depression, diplopia, anxiety, irritability, aseptic meningitis, seizures, weakness.
• Sensory organs: ear ringing. Rare: blurred vision, change of taste, decrease in hearing, scotoma.
• Skin: skin rash, itching. Rare: alopecia, severe rash, eczema, toxic dermatitis, photosensibilisation.
• Urogenital system – fluid retention. Rare: proteinuria, oliguria, nephrotic syndrome, acute renal insufficiency, intestinal nephritis, poplar necrosis.
• Hemopoietic system: Rare: anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, agranulacytosis.
• Respiratory system: Rare: coughing, bronchospasm, throat swelling
• Cardio-vascular system: Rare: increased blood pressure, congestive heart failure
• Allergic reactions: swelling, anaphylactic reactions

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with Voltaren, please read the information provided with Voltaren or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with Voltaren. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe. Especially mention to your doctor the following groups of drugs:

• Antibiotics
• Li+ supplements
• Diuretics
• Blood clotting preparations
• Thrombolitic drugs
• Hypertensive medicine
• Sedatives
• Tranquilizers
• Herbal medicine
• Hormonal therapy
• Radiation therapy in treatment of cancer
• Ethanol extracts.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE Voltaren with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.