Does Voltaren gel have heart risks?

This medicine may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease or in people who use this medicine for a long time. This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or bowels.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

What are the dangers of using Voltaren gel?

Voltaren gel side effects may include:
  • skin irritation or itching where the gel was applied.
  • skin dryness, scaling, or redness.
  • skin pimples or cysts.
  • hives or swelling.
  • numbness and tingling.
  • nausea or vomiting.
  • stomach pain.
  • upset stomach.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com

Who should not use Voltaren Gel?

For example, you should not use Voltaren: If you have any heart issues or are at risk for adverse events such as heart attack and stroke. If you have allergies to this drug or other pain or fever aids such as aspirin. Before or after heart surgery4.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

Does Voltaren gel get into the bloodstream?

As a topical gel, a smaller amount of diclofenac from Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel reaches the bloodstream compared with the oral form of diclofenac. In a clinical study, the systemic exposure with Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel was 6%, or 94% less than the systemic exposure with the oral NSAID diclofenac.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on voltarengel.com

Does Voltaren Gel affect blood pressure?

NSAIDs, including Voltaren Gel, can lead to high blood pressure or worsening of high blood pressure, which may add to the increased risk of heart attack and stroke. There is a potential for elevation in liver function tests during treatment with diclofenac containing products.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on endo.com

New OTC Voltaren Gel Pain Reliever VS Advil/Motrin, Aleve Or Tylenol. Facts For Best Choice

38 related questions found

Is Voltaren gel safer than ibuprofen?

Researchers have found that: Advil is more likely than Voltaren to produce upper gastrointestinal issues as well as withdrawal symptoms in arthritis patients. 1. There is an increased risk of liver damage with the use of Voltaren as compared to other NSAIDs.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

How often can you use Voltaren gel?

For osteoarthritis of the knees, ankles, or feet using Voltaren® 1% gel: Adults—Apply 4 grams (g) to the affected skin areas four times a day (a total of 16 g each day). However, the total dose should not exceed 32 g per day over all affected joints. Use the enclosed dosing card to measure the appropriate dose.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Why can't I use Voltaren gel on my back?

It reduces inflammation and pain. Voltaren gel is approved for use on arm and leg joints only. It has not been studied for use in the hips or spine. You should not use Voltaren gel to treat muscle pain in other areas of the body, such as the lower back.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthgrades.com

Can Voltaren cause heart attacks?

Yes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — medications commonly used to treat pain and inflammation — can increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke. This increase in risk affects people who already have heart disease and those who don't.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

How long is Voltaren gel in your system?

Diclofenac sodium (the medication in Voltaren gel) can stay in the body for nearly 3 weeks.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com

Why was Voltaren gel taken off the market?

A slew of studies, though, show diclofenac — sold under the brand names Voltaren, Cambia, Cataflam and Zipsor — is just as likely to cause a heart attack as the discredited painkiller Vioxx (rofecoxib), which was pulled from the U.S. market in 2004.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on npr.org

What is the difference between Voltaren gel and Voltarol gel?

In the US, this drug is referred to as “Voltaren Arthritis Pain.” In the UK, this OTC drug is called “Voltarol.” Both Voltaren Arthritis Pain and Voltarol refer to similar topical products that contain forms of diclofenac as their active ingredient.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on voltarengel.com

Can Voltaren gel be used indefinitely?

In all these tests, there were no unwanted effects attributable to long-term treatment with Voltaren. Our study would indicate that Voltaren is a safe drug which has no effect on the organs of haemopoiesis, nor on hepatic or renal function, even in long-term therapy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What happens if you use too much diclofenac gel?

Diclofenac tablets and capsules can cause an ulcer in your stomach or gut if you take them for a long time or in big doses. There's also a small risk of heart failure or kidney failure if you take very big doses (150mg a day) for a long time. It's best to take the lowest dose that works for the shortest possible time.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Is Voltaren gel hard on the liver?

3) Diclofenac (Voltaren, Cambia)

Any NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) can cause liver injury, although it's very rare. This class of medications includes popular drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. But when it comes to liver injury, diclofenac is the NSAID with the highest risk.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com

How much Voltaren gel is absorbed systemically?

The amount of diclofenac sodium that is systemically absorbed from Voltaren® Gel is on average 6% of the systemic exposure from an oral form of diclofenac sodium.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on accessdata.fda.gov

Is topical Voltaren safer than oral?

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER. Topical NSAIDs are associated with almost four times more local skin adverse events but about one-third fewer gastrointestinal adverse events than their oral counterparts in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain up to 12 weeks.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on journals.lww.com

Why can't you use Voltaren on your shoulder?

It's 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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncnewsonline.com

Can you use Voltaren gel longer than 21 days?

Voltaren Arthritis Pain is not for immediate relief and may take up to 7 days to work. Consumers should stop use and seek medical attention if their arthritis pain is not improved in 7 days or they need to use the product for more than 21 days.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fda.gov

Does Voltaren reduce inflammation or just pain?

Like other NSAIDs, Voltaren (diclofenac) works by reducing inflammation in the body. When taken in oral form, it's used to treat pain related to such forms of arthritis as osteoarthrtis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The oral version of this drug is still available only by prescription.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on creakyjoints.org

Can you rub Voltaren gel on your neck?

Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as neck pain.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on voltaren.co.za

Can I use Voltaren gel for muscle pain?

Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as muscle pain. Sports injuries and strains due to overuse are the most common causes of muscle pain.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on voltaren.co.za

Does Voltaren gel work immediately?

This topical gel works wonders (usually within 30 sec- to 2 mins) upon application. Relieves my knee pain immediately, until oral medication can be brought onboard.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

What is a good substitute for Voltaren?

Voltaren gel's active ingredient is diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps lower inflammation (swelling) around the area where you apply it. Aspercreme and Volteran gel are both available as brand-name medications. But you can also find them as lower-cost generics.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com

What can I use instead of Voltaren?

Ibuprofen and Voltaren (diclofenac) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation. Ibuprofen is available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC). Brand names for ibuprofen include Advil and Motrin.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rxlist.com