Voltaren is one of the most widely used drugs to treat inflammation and pain.
Below you can find the most important information regarding this drug. Before taking a medicine like Voltaren at least you have to know what you take, what it is for and what side effects and contraindications it has.
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What is Voltaren?
Voltaren is a drug that is grouped within nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The mechanism of action of Voltaren and all drugs of this pharmacological family is to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation of different areas of the body that may express this symptomatology.
The active substance in Voltaren is a substance called diclofenac. This compound has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and is considered a very good antirheumatic. In addition to Voltaren, other brands that can be found on the market with this active ingredient are Solaraze, Dolotren, Diltidol, Diclofenac, Atrotrec and Algistick.
What is it for?
Voltaren is used to treat different forms of pain in the musculoskeletal system. Conditions such as back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases or gout are some of the most common when resorting to this drug, but not the only ones.
This anti-inflammatory also serves to combat pain associated with wounds or injuries, which may be generated by trauma or all kinds of tensions. After surgical interventions it can also be very useful to avoid possible postoperative pain in dental, orthopedic, etc.
On the other hand, Voltaren is also effective in other types of conditions. It is sometimes used as preferential or complementary pharmacological therapy at the symptomatic level in diseases of gynecological or infectious typology (especially in the case of the nose, throat and ear).
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Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of diclofenac is based on the blockade of prostaglandins. These substances are responsible for inflammation and pain, and sometimes even fever.
By inhibiting the action of these substances, therefore, the symptoms associated with any type of injury that produces pain can be avoided. However, it should be noted that Voltaren cannot cure the cause of the problem that causes inflammation of the area.
Something you also need to know is that some prostaglandins are substances that exert functions in the stomach. If voltaren is used as an ointment it is administered topically and there are no major problems, but tablets taken orally can inhibit them and cause stomach upset and digestive problems.
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How is it administered?
The most common presentation of Voltaren is that of topical emulgel. This gel is commonly applied to the skin to relieve different types of pain, such as those associated with muscle or joint injuries. It can be applied three or four times a day with a skin massage.
In this way it is common that Voltaren emulgel can be used to treat sports-related injuries, such as sprains and strains. In this case, the pharmacological treatment must be accompanied by rest of the affected area.
In the case of Voltaren Emulgel it is presented in a tube and the substance is whitish and homogeneous. However, in the market you can find other presentations that are also indicated for cases in which the doctor considers it appropriate. These are tablets that are taken orally and solutions that are administered as injectables.
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Side effects
Voltaren, like any medicine, is capable of generating different side effects that must be known. When these appear, it is necessary to communicate it to the doctor to withdraw it as a pharmacological treatment if necessary.
Another option is to minimize adverse effects by administering the lowest effective dose for a short period of time. It is the most recommended form in elderly patients or people with low body weight.
Like any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Voltaren can cause allergic reactions. In severe cases it can produce anaphylactic reactions, although these are very rare cases.
The most common side effects with Voltaren are gastrointestinal discomfort. This only happens in the case that voltaren is taken orally or intramuscularly, and not in the case of topical application. Anyway it is important to know that in some cases taking Voltaren generates ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Voltaren can generate adverse effects at the hepatic level, being able to increase the values of one or more liver enzymes. Also at the renal level there may be alterations, such as fluid retention and edema.
In case of heart problems it is necessary that the doctor periodically monitors the progress of treatment with Voltaren, especially if it lasts more than four weeks.
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Contraindications
Voltaren can lead to serious health problems if its contraindications are not respected. It is necessary to know the contraindications that any medication from a pharmacy can have, thus avoiding many health problems related to its taking.
If you know that you have an allergy to diclofenac or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, do not take Voltaren. Nor in the case that you are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Also, you cannot take Voltaren if you are already taking aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
People who are diagnosed with gastrointestinal disorders or have a history of ulcers or bleeding should avoid these types of medications out of an abundance of caution. You have to inform the doctor of this, and only if you consider it appropriate you can take this type of medication.
Close medical supervision should also be carried out in the event that the patient taking Voltaren has any disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Generally, this medicine is contraindicated in patients who have hepatic or renal insufficiency, and is only taken if it is considered medically appropriate and under constant supervision. In case of heart failure or hypertension, the doctor should also assess whether or not it is appropriate to take this anti-inflammatory medication.
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References
- Gan, T.J. (2010). Diclofenac: an update on its mechanism of action and safety profile. Current medical research and opinion, 26 (7), 1715-1731](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20470236).
- Morant, S.V., Shield, M.J., Davey, P.G., & MacDonald, T.M. (2002). A pharmacoeconomic comparison of misoprostol/diclofenac with diclofenac. Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety, 11(5), 393-400.
- Wakai, A., Lawrenson, J.G., Lawrenson, A.L. et al. (2017). Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for analgesia in traumatic corneal abrasions. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 5, CD009781.
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