The Bottom Line On Topical Nsaids:
For every message about the side effects of Voltaren Gel we probably have 10 that sing the drugs praises. It appears to us that topical NSAIDs are not absorbed into the blood stream to the same extent as oral formulations. That said, some people are just very sensitive to NSAIDs in general.
People who cannot tolerate NSAIDs like diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxen may benefit from non-drug approaches to manage joint pain. In our eGuide to Alternatives for Arthritis, you will find more information about Voltaren Gel and non-drug alternatives, including herbs such as ashwagandha, Boswellia, ginger, stinging nettle and turmeric. This online resource is available in the Health eGuides section of this website. You will also find home remedies and foods that have anti-inflammatory activity.
Readers Share The Serious Side Effects Of Voltaren Gel:
Brenn had side effects from Voltaren Gel just like she experienced with oral NSAIDs:
I tried the Voltaren gel because NSAIDs cause extreme stomach distress, acid reflux, and most frightening, atrial fibrillation. My cardiologist said it was an inflammation in the lining of my heart. However, using the gel caused the same problems in both me and my neighbor. If I only use a small amount, occasionally, the symptoms are mild, but it really doesnt do much for relief.
Carol reports a different kind of reaction:
I used oral NSAIDs for several years before giving in to arthritic pain and having hip replacements. This was after 40 years of running. The oral NSAIDs took quite a toll on my digestive system so when my knee began to trouble me, I opted for Voltaren Gel which I applied on a few occasions in a three-week period.
It didnt really relieve the knee pain and I stopped using it. However, during that time frame, the notable result was acid indigestion so severe with intense chest pain that I never recognized it as indigestion but rather thought it was a cardiac event. A cardiac CT scan found no evidence of heart issues. I never used Voltaren Gel again and had no further chest pain.
Rosanna also experiences gastrointestinal side effects from Voltaren Gel:
Eric shares a similar reaction:
How Should I Use Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel
Use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel exactly as prescribed by your doctor or as instructed on the packaging. Do not use this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Wash your hands after applying Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel, unless you are treating the skin on your hands. Wait at least 10 minutes before dressing or wearing gloves. Wait at least 1 hour before you bathe or shower.
Do not apply to an open skin wound, or on areas of infection, rash, burn, or peeling skin. Do not cover treated skin with a bandage or expose it to heat from a hot tub, heating pad, or sauna. Heat or bandaging can increase the amount of diclofenac you absorb through your skin.
To treat osteoarthritis pain with Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel: This medicine is supplied with dosing cards that show you how much gel to use for a 2-gram dose or a 4-gram dose. Squeeze the gel onto this card along the line for your dose. Use no more gel than will fit on the length of your dosing line. Wipe the card directly onto the treatment area and rub gently into the skin.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
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Home Remedies And Treatments For Shoulder Pain
Not all shoulder pain needs a doctors visit. There are a few at-home shoulder pain remedies you can try out. They include:
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Dr Roach: Voltaren Not Recommended For Deep Joints
Dear Dr. Roach: Can you comment on why Voltaren gel is not recommended for use in the neck and shoulder area? All I could find online is that it hasnt yet been tested for that. J.M.
Answer: Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory medication that may be taken by mouth, or used topically in a gel. Its a potent medication that is very effective for many people and is often used for arthritis pain. 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.
Its very safe, so you can certainly try it to see if it will work. If your pain is being caused by a more superficial source, it may well give you relief. However, since there is no indication for neck and shoulder pain, insurance may not cover it.
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How Does Voltaren Gel For Arthritis Pain Work
A doctor may recommend trying Voltaren gel alone if you have mild to moderate arthritis pain, or using it in addition to oral medication for worse arthritis pain.
Voltaren gel contains an NSAID medication that is similar to the pain drug ibuprofen. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation and works best on small joints. Voltaren topical gel is not for immediate relief and may take up to 7 days to work.
Voltaren gel for arthritis and other types of diclofenac gel may help to provide some relief for joint pain. However, it might depend on how severe your arthritis pain is.
A 2016 review , which looked at 39 studies with 10,631 individuals with arthritis joint pain, found that topical diclofenac gel can provide good levels of pain relief in osteoarthritis for about 10% of people with this type of joint pain.
How well a topical gel such as Voltaren works may also depend on how much of the pain-relieving medication diclofenac sodium it contains.
A research trial from 2020 on how well a topical gel with 3.06% of diclofenac worked to ease pain due to osteoarthritis in the knee reported that the gel worked better than a placebo gel with no diclofenac at all. People in the study applied the gel twice a day for 4 weeks.
Voltaren gel for arthritis pain that is available OTC contains 1% diclofenac. You may need a prescription to get topical gels with a higher percentage of this pain medicine.
The Side Effects Of Voltaren Gel Can Be Dangerous:
Q. Six years ago, my doctor prescribed Voltaren Gel for arthritis in my knee. She assured me that the warnings only applied to the oral form of the drug. I got excellent relief.
After three weeks, however, I suddenly developed swelling in that leg. My blood pressure went up to 220/110 and I ended up in the ER. They monitored me for 6 or 7 hours until my blood pressure returned to normal. Voltaren, even topical, can cause some serious side effects.
Others have also complained about blood pressure elevations after taking Voltaren Gel. For some reason doctors have a hard time believing this:
Q. My orthopedist recommended Voltaren Gel for sore joints. Ive tried that before, so I told him it raises my blood pressure.
He was skeptical that the gel made my blood pressure rise. He was sure it must have been something else.
As soon as I stopped using the gel, my blood pressure went right back down again. That convinced me. I dont think this doctors up on the latest. Do you have a suggestion for easing joint pain that wont raise blood pressure?
A.Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel is now available without a prescription. The FDA has warned that both oral and topical NSAIDs like diclofenac can lead to edema and hypertension. Here is the wording in the official prescribing information:
Others, however are super sensitive to NSAIDs. Even a topical gel appears to trigger serious adverse reactions. Here are some other reports about the systemic side effects of Voltaren Gel.
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What Is The Non
Many causes of shoulder pain benefit from physiotherapy to stretch out tight tissue, improve posture and strengthen weak shoulder muscles. If you would like us to recommend a good physiotherapist, please get in touch.
In cases of significant joint pain due to inflammation such as frozen shoulder, calcific tendonitis, or subacromial shoulder pain, a steroid injection to the shoulder may be useful to control the pain. In most cases a steroid injection needs to be followed by exercises or physiotherapy to prevent the pain from recurring. Getting a steroid injection in early can reduce the need for other painkillers and prevent chronic pain from becoming a problem.
Symptoms Of Shoulder Pain
The characteristics of shoulder pain vary, depending on the cause of the problem and they can be felt in different ways.
You may feel shoulder pain all the time, or only when you move your shoulder, and the pain might be temporary or continue .
With tendonitis and bursitis there is usually a slow onset of discomfort and you may have difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder.
Frozen shoulder can cause pain, stiffness and restricted movement of the shoulder.
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To Use Topical Diclofenac 2% Topical Solution Follow These Steps:
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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Diclofenac
Diclofenac can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don’t have any risk factors. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery .
Diclofenac may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using diclofenac, especially in older adults.
Do not use to treat a cluster headache. Do not use if you are allergic to beef or beef protein. CambiaZipsor
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
You should not use diclofenac if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.
Diclofenac can affect ovulation and it may be harder to get pregnant while you are using this medicine.
If you are pregnant, you should not take diclofenac unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Diclofenac is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
- heart disease, high blood pressure
- ulcers or bleeding in your stomach
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and keep it from freezing or excess heat.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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Can You Use Voltaren Gel On Your Shoulder And Upper Back I Have Pain From A Fall
Can you use Voltaren Gel on your shoulder and upper back, I have pain from a fall.
Doctor’s Assistant: Have you had any recent injuries? What seems to make the pain better or worse?
Yes, I tripped and fell, nothing making it better not even pain pills from the doctor, swallowing, breathing makes it worst, was told I had fractured ribs, now being told they are not, it’s a muscular problem.
Doctor’s Assistant: Anything else in your medical history you think the doctor should know?
No, they have taken x-rays c-scans of shoulder and back two doctors said there’s not fractures or breaks. Bone doctor said there’s 3 fractured ribs.
Greetings,Thanks for using Just Answer. I am Dr. Su S. I will try my best to help you.
Regards.
I am very sorry for your symptoms.You can use Voltaren Gel.It helps in Musculoskeletal pain.I hope this information will be helpful.If you have any query, please feel free to ask.If you are happy with my answer please click on the Excellent/Good rating. Wish your healthy life.
It is not necessary to call.Some customers want it.Please wait, I am writing your answer.
Usually Voltaren gel is used in Arthritic pain of those joints.
You can try it, it will not harm.
Reduced Incidence Of Side Effects
Topical NSAIDs, including gels, liquids and patches are as effective as oral NSAIDs, but generally carry fewer risks and side effects .
Oral NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin, alleviate pain and swelling, but can increase blood pressure and exacerbate heart conditions. In recent years, the FDA has issued stronger warnings about the increased risk of heart attack and stroke due to oral NSAIDs . Additionally, these medications often cause stomach pain.
In contrast, research indicates that topical NSAIDs provide similar pain relief to oral NSAIDs, with less risk .
A 2017 study investigated the use of topical and oral NSAIDs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and found that topical NSAID use resulted in fewer instances of cardiovascular complications .
Another study compared oral and topical diclofenac solutions, and found that topical treatments resulted in fewer gastrointestinal and heart-related adverse events .â
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