Voltaren

Generic name: Diclofenac

Diclofenac tablets

What are diclofenac tablets?

DICLOFENAC (Voltaren®) is an anti-inflammatory drug. Diclofenac reduces the joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, or swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism) and osteoarthritis. Generic diclofenac delayed-release tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma, especially aspirin sensitive asthma
• bleeding problems or taking medicines that make you bleed more easily such as anticoagulants ('blood thinners')
• cigarette smoker
• coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within the past 2 weeks
• dental disease
• diabetes
• drink more than 3 alcohol-containing beverages a day
• heart or circulation problems like angina, high blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, history of heart attack, history of blood clots, or leg edema (fluid retention)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• porphyria
• stomach or duodenal ulcers
• history of stroke
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• ulcerative colitis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to diclofenac, aspirin, other salicylates, other NSAIDs, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take diclofenac tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water; take tablets in an upright or sitting position. Do not crush or chew tablets. Taking a sip of water first, before taking the tablets, may help you swallow them. It is better to take diclofenac with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with diclofenac?

• alcohol
• alendronate
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• cidofovir
• cyclosporine
• drospirenone; ethinyl estradiol (Yasmin®)
• entecavir
• herbal products that contain feverfew, garlic, ginger, or ginkgo biloba
• lithium
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines that affect platelets
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots such as warfarin and other 'blood thinners'
• methotrexate
• other antiinflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or prednisone)
• pemetrexed
• water pills (diuretics)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking diclofenac?

Elderly patients are at increased risk for developing side effects.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• signs of bleeding from the stomach - black tarry stools, blood in the urine, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• signs of an allergic reaction - difficulty breathing or wheezing, skin rash, redness, blistering or peeling skin, hives, or itching, swelling of eyelids, throat, lips
• change in the amount of urine passed
• difficulty swallowing, severe heartburn or burning, pain in throat
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• stomach pain or cramps
• swelling of feet or ankles
• yellowing and/or itching of eyes or skin, upper right abdominal/chest tenderness, fatigue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea
• dizziness
• gas or heartburn
• headache
• nausea, vomiting

What should I watch for while taking diclofenac?

Let your prescriber or health care professional know if your pain continues, do not take with other pain-killers without advice. If you get flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches and pains), call your prescriber or health care professional; do not treat yourself.

To reduce unpleasant effects on your throat and stomach, take diclofenac with a full glass of water and never just before lying down. If you notice black, tarry stools or experience severe stomach pain and/or vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds, notify your health care prescriber immediately.

If you are taking medicines that affect the clotting of your blood, such as aspirin or blood thinners such as Coumadin®, talk to your health care provider or prescriber before taking this medicine.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how diclofenac affects you. Do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol; these increase irritation to your stomach and can make it more susceptible to damage from diclofenac.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking diclofenac. Diclofenac can cause you to bleed more easily. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

It is especially important not to use diclofenac during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless specifically directed to do so by your health care provider. Diclofenac may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.