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Voltaren Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Diclofenac sodium

DICLOFENAC (Voltaren®-XR) is in a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that may cause inflammation and pain in the body. Diclofenac reduces the joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, or swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Voltaren Dosage

• For the treatment of Osteoarthritism, the usual dose is 100 to 150 milligrams a day, divided into smaller doses of 50 milligrams 2 or 3 times a day or 75 milligrams twice a day.
• The usual dose of Voltaren-XR is 100 milligrams taken once a day.
• For the treatment of pain that are caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis, the usual dose is 100 to 200 milligrams a day, divided into smaller doses of 50 milligrams 3 to 4 times a day.

Uses of Voltaren

• Diclofenac is used to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness that may caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, abdominal cramps associated with menstruation, and ankylosing spondylitis.
• Diclofenac is also used to treat pain caused by gout, painful shoulder and cancer.

Side Effects of Voltaren

If you are using Voltaren, then discuss the side effects of Voltaren with your doctor and if you feel any develop or change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Voltaren. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain or cramps
• ringing in the ears
• constipation
• rash
• diarrhea
• peptic ulcers
• headache
• itching
• indigestion
• gas
• nausea
• fluid retention
• Abdominal bleeding
• dizziness
• abdominal swelling

Warnings and precautions before taking Voltaren:

• You should tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diclofenac, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, any other medications.
• If you have kidney problems, heart disease, or high blood pressure, then you should be used this drug cautiously. It can cause fluid retention.
• Voltaren medicine may also cause liver problems. If you develop signs of liver disease such as nausea, fatigue, lethargy, itching, yellowish eyes and skin, tenderness in the upper right area of your abdomen, or flu-like symptoms, then you should tell your doctor.
• If you have any medical conditions such as runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the lining of the nose), lupus, porphyria, liver, or kidney disease or swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, then you should tell your doctor.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Voltaren, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Voltaren. So discuss with your doctor before combining Voltaren with the following:

• Aspirin
• Phenobarbital
• Blood thinners such as Coumadin
• Methotrexate
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Diuretics such as Dyazide, Midamor, and Lasix
• Insulin or oral antidiabetes medications such as Micronase

Overdose

After taking Voltaren, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Voltaren overdose may include:

• Acute kidney failure
• drowsiness
• loss of consciousness
• lung inflammation
• vomiting