Diclofenac gel is a safe and effective option for treating joint pain, especially in cases of arthritis. It can also be used to treat acute neck pain, back pain, tendonitis, and sprains and strains.
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.
Do not apply the medication to skin that is broken, peeling, infected, swollen, or covered with a rash. Diclofenac gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain) and topical solution (Pennsaid) are only for use on the skin. Be careful not to get the medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as neck pain.
Some neck pain may be due to inflammation in the discs of the spine and the surrounding nerves and joints. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alleviate pain by reducing inflammation. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, all of which are available over-the-counter.
Is diclofenac or ibuprofen more effective? A meta-analysis of 176 studies and 146,524 patients published in the Journal of Arthritis Research and Therapy found that diclofenac 150 mg/day is more effective than ibuprofen 2,400 mg/day for arthritis pain relief.
Hot and cold therapy. Using ice packs or heating pads can help relieve neck pain fast. Ice reduces inflammation, while heat relaxes stiff muscles. For best results, you may alternate the two for about 20 minutes several times a day.
Diclofenac is the generic name for the active ingredient in Voltaren Arthritis Pain. Diclofenac is also available in oral formulations for a broader range of pain indications. Voltaren Arthritis Pain is made of a smooth, non-greasy formula that combines a gel and cream (Voltaren Emulgel™) for topical application.
Apply the medicine very carefully to clean, dry skin, and avoid getting any in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not apply this medicine to areas with broken skin or open wounds, infection, or severely peeling skin. Apply enough medicine each time to cover the entire affected area.
Massaging the neck with lavender oil also eases neck pain. After a hot water bath, gently rub some lavender oil on the pain affected area. Massage for 10 around minutes. Repeat this daily until the neck heals completely.
To use the topical solution: Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. It will work only if applied correctly. Do not apply this medicine anywhere on your body other than where your doctor tells you.
Taking too much diclofenac sodium does not usually cause serious problems. The person may have some stomach pain and vomiting (possibly with blood). However, these symptoms will likely get better. In rare cases, a blood transfusion is needed.
The gel should be applied within the oblong area of the dosing card up to the 2 or 4 gram line (2 grams for each elbow, wrist, or hand, and 4 grams for each knee, ankle, or foot). Apply the medicine very carefully to clean, dry skin, and avoid getting any in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
It can be applied directly to specific painful joints in the body. Voltaren gel works directly where you apply it with little absorption to the bloodstream.
Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as shoulder pain.
An aqueous solution of diclofenac has been shown to penetrate to a depth of around 3–4 mm into the underlying dermis and subcutaneous tissue56. Skin permeability and local tissue concentrations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after topical application.
Why can't I use Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel for shoulders, hips, etc.? Voltaren has not been studied for the relief of arthritis pain in the shoulders, hips, and back.
If you're using diclofenac gel, plasters or patches on your skin, it usually takes 1 to 2 days to work. For arthritis, you may need to use the gel for up to 7 days on the painful joint to feel the full effect. Depending on why you're taking diclofenac, you may only need to take it for a short time.
Lidocaine cream is better than diclofenac gel for nerve pain. Lidocaine is an anesthetic, and numbs pain by blocking nerve conduction. Lidocaine cream should not be applied on skin that is broken, infected, swollen, or covered with rash.
Diclofenac gel is a safe and effective option for treating joint pain, especially in cases of arthritis. It can also be used to treat acute neck pain, back pain, tendonitis, and sprains and strains. It's particularly useful for people with high blood pressure or heart disease, for whom oral NSAIDs are not recommended.
At 2 hours, significantly more patients treated with ibuprofen/levomenthol gel reported a cooling sensation (45.8%) compared with diclofenac (16.4%) or ibuprofen (14.7%) gels, and both ibuprofen/levomenthol and diclofenac gels provided significantly more effective global pain relief compared with ibuprofen gel.