Voltaren gel

What exactly is the topical form of diclofenac? A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, diclofenac, is the subject of this article (NSAID). It accomplishes this by lowering levels of chemicals in the body that are responsible for causing pain and inflammation. For the treatment of osteoarthritis-related joint pain, a topical (for the skin) formulation of diclofenac is utilized. Pennsaid is intended for application to the knees. Hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet are the recommended application sites for Voltaren Topical. There is a possibility that this medication will not be successful in treating arthritic pain in other parts of the body. Actinic keratoses, also known as warty overgrowths of skin, can be treated with diclofenac topical when they appear on sun-exposed parts of the body. There are a variety of additional applications for diclofenac topical that are not included in this drug reference. What is the most crucial piece of information regarding diclofenac topical that I need to be aware of? Diclofenac can raise your chance of having a deadly heart attack or stroke, particularly if you use it for an extended period of time, take large doses of it, or if you already have heart problems. Do not use this medication within a short period of time before or after having heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). It is also possible for diclofenac to induce bleeding in the stomach or the intestinal tract, which can be deadly. When using diclofenac, you run the risk of experiencing these problems, particularly if you are an adult over the age of 60. Before I start applying the diclofenac topical, what questions should I ask my healthcare provider? Diclofenac can raise your chance of having a deadly heart attack or stroke, particularly if you use it for an extended period of time, take large doses of it, or if you already have heart problems. When using this medication, even healthy individuals who do not have any risk factors or cardiovascular illness might get a stroke or heart attack. Do not use this medication within a short period of time before or after having heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). It is also possible for diclofenac to induce bleeding in the stomach or the intestinal tract, which can be deadly. When using diclofenac, you run the risk of experiencing these problems, particularly if you are an adult over the age of 60. If you have ever experienced an asthma attack or a severe allergic response after taking aspirin or an NSAID, you should not use this medication since it contains diclofenac, which is the active ingredient in Voltaren, Cataflam, and Flector, among other medications. If you have any of the following conditions, you should let your doctor know before using diclofenac: If you smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, or any of these other diseases; a history of cardiovascular disease, cerebral embolism, or blood clot; a past medical history of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers; asthma; illness of the liver or of the kidneys; fluid retention. It is possible that the unborn child will be harmed if the mother uses diclofenac topical during the last three months of pregnancy. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or if you want to become pregnant in the near future. It is unknown whether or not diclofenac topical goes into breast milk or whether or not it might be harmful to a baby who is being breastfed. When you are taking this medication, you should not breastfeed your child. The topical formulation of diclofenac is not permitted for use by patients who are less than 18 years old. What is the proper way to apply diclofenac topical? Always make sure to follow all of the instructions on the label of your medication. It is not safe to use this medication in bigger doses or for a longer period of time than what is indicated. You should treat your problem with the smallest effective dose of the medication. You should go through and read all of the patient information, prescription guidelines, and instruction sheets that have been sent to you. If you have any questions, you should ask either your doctor or your pharmacist. If you are not treating the skin on your hands, you should wash your hands after administering this treatment unless you are. At a minimum, wait ten minutes before getting dressed or putting on gloves. You should hold off on taking a shower or bath for at least an hour. Do not apply to parts of the skin that are peeling, infected, rashy, or burning. Furthermore, avoid open wounds on the skin. While treating skin, it is important to avoid covering it with a bandage or exposing it to heat sources such as a hot tub, heating pad, or sauna. The quantity of diclofenac that is absorbed via the skin can be increased by applying heat or bandaging the affected area. Actinic keratosis can be treated by using sufficient gel to cover each lesion and then gently rubbing it in. Diclofenac topical should not be used more than twice daily, and you should never exceed the dosage that your doctor has recommended. The topical form of diclofenac can be used for up to three months at a time. While using Pennsaid to treat the pain of osteoarthritis in the knee, apply the solution only to skin that is clean and dry. Application of the solution should be made to the front, rear, and sides of the knee. Before covering the treated area with clothing or putting any other items to the skin, including sunscreen, you must wait until the solution has had a chance to dry fully. Voltaren Topical is a treatment that may be used to relieve the pain associated with osteoarthritis. This medication comes with dosage cards that indicate you how much gel to apply for a 2-gram dose or a 4-gram dose. Put your dose on this card by squeezing the gel onto it along the line provided. It is important to just use as much gel as can be accommodated along the length of your dosing line. To apply, just wipe the treatment area immediately with the card, then rub it gently into the skin. Keep at room temperature and away from heat and moisture when storing. Do not freeze. Always keep Pennsaid in the upright position when storing. What can I expect if I forget to take a dose? If you forget to take a dosage, take it as soon as you realize it. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dosage, you should skip the dose that you missed. It is not safe to take more medication in an attempt to make up for a missed dosage. What should I steer clear of when I'm applying the topical diclofenac? Do not use makeup, sunscreen, lotions, insect repellent, or any other topical medications to the same region of your skin that you are treating with diclofenac topical. This includes cosmetics. While treating skin, it is important to avoid exposing it to heat, sunlight, and tanning beds. It is important to keep this drug away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. In the event that this does occur, wash it off with water. If the discomfort in your eyes continues for more than an hour, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician. Avoid consuming alcohol. It may make you more likely to get bleeding in the stomach. When you are using diclofenac topical, you should avoid taking aspirin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Before taking any drug for a headache, cold, or allergy, make sure to see your primary care physician or a pharmacist. There are a lot of drugs that you may get without a prescription that include aspirin or other medicines that are comparable to diclofenac. Using a combination of particular products can lead to an unsafely high level of exposure to this category of drug. Examine the medication's label to see whether or not it includes aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. Diclofenac topical side effects When diclofenac is applied to the skin, there is a limited chance of significant side effects; nonetheless, this medication can be absorbed via the skin, which may induce steroid adverse effects throughout the body. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergic response, such as sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, wheezing or difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke, such as chest discomfort that has extended to your jaw or shoulder, abrupt numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or a sense of being short of breath, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you develop any of the following symptoms, you should immediately stop using this medication and contact your doctor: the very first symptom of any kind of skin rash, regardless of how small it is; symptoms such as shortness of breath (even while performing only light activities), edema in your arms or legs; diarrhea, feces that are crimson or tarry, spitting up blood, or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds are all symptoms that might indicate internal bleeding. Problems with the liver can manifest as nausea, upper stomach discomfort, itching, tiredness, symptoms similar to the flu, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored feces, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); Kidney disorders are characterized by infrequent or absent urine, urination that is painful or difficult, swelling in the feet or ankles, and feelings of fatigue or shortness of breath. Symptoms of high blood pressure include a strong headache, a pulsing sensation in the neck or ears, bleeding from the nose, anxiety, and bewilderment; a low number of red blood cells, often known as anemia; symptoms include pale complexion, feeling light-headed or short of breath, high heart rate, and difficulty focusing; or Severe skin response characterized by fever, sore throat, swelling in the face or tongue, burning in the eyes, and skin discomfort, which is then followed by a rash that is red or purple, spreads (particularly in the face or upper body), and causes blistering and peeling of the skin. The following are examples of common adverse effects: symptoms such as indigestion, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting; diarrhea, constipation; discomfort in the head, lightheadedness, and sleepiness; stuffy nose; itchiness, a rise in perspiration; higher risk of cardiovascular disease; or redness, itching, dryness, scaling, or peeling of the skin at the application site may be a side effect of the medication. This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive; additional symptoms may also surface. Which other medications might potentially interact with diclofenac topical? In the event that you are currently taking an antidepressant, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone, you should see your physician before applying diclofenac topical. If you use any of these medications in combination with an NSAID, you may find that you bruise or bleed more readily. Talk to your primary care physician about any and all medications you are currently taking, as well as any you begin or discontinue taking, in particular: cyclosporine; lithium; methotrexate; a medication that thins the blood such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven; medicine for the heart or blood pressure, including a diuretic or "water pill," or steroid medication (prednisone and others). This list does not contain everything. It is possible for other medications, such as prescription and over-the-counter treatments, vitamins, and herbal supplements, to have an adverse reaction when used with diclofenac topical. This drug guide does not provide a description of all potentially harmful interactions.