Voltaren D (Diclofenac 50mg)

Voltaren D general information

What is Voltaren D used for?

Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg are used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in acute inflammatory conditions.  These conditions include flare-up of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear that has periods of remission and flare up.  Also, non-articular rheumatism, which is pain that is not associated with joints and include nerve entrapment and regional pain syndrome; rheumatic conditions of the connective tissue surrounding joints (non-articular), including bursitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis; as well as acute injury following trauma, such as sprains and strains.  Also chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as lower back pain (lumbago) and painful syndromes of the vertebral column.  Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg are also used to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling following surgery, such as following dental or orthopaedic surgery; also for acute attacks of gout and to relieve menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea or adnexitis (inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes).  Voltaren D 50 is also used as an adjuvant to treat severe painful inflammatory infections of the ear, nose or throat, such as pharyngotonsillitis and otitis, in addition to other medications.  Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg are a short-term treatment to relieve pain, inflammation and swelling in these acute conditions.

How does Voltaren D work?

Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg contain diclofenac, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties.  Diclofenac in Voltaren D tablets 50mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).  COX-2 is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins, and inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.  Inhibition of COX-1 is responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects that are due to inhibition of protective prostaglandins in the gut and disruption of regulation of acid content.  Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg are formulated for rapid onset of action, being effective within one hour, which is particularly suitable for treatment of conditions with acute pain and inflammation, and helps relieve symptoms such as swelling in rheumatic diseases, and improving function.  The soluble tablet formulation is also particularly suitable for those who have difficulty in swallowing tablets.  

What does Voltaren D contain?

Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient diclofenac free acid (46.5 mg of diclofenac free acid, which is equivalent to 50 mg of diclofenac sodium).  They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycollate, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, hydrogenated castor oil, talc.

Treating pain and inflammation with Voltaren D

Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg contain diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in acute conditions.  These include, flare-up of osteoarthritis, non-articular rheumatism, (pain not associated with joints like nerve entrapment and regional pain syndrome, bursitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, sprains and strains, lumbago and painful syndromes of the vertebral column).  Voltaren D tab dispersible tablets 50mg are also used to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling following surgery, such as following dental or orthopaedic surgery; also for acute attacks of gout and to relieve menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea or adnexitis (inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes).  Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg are also used as an adjuvant to treat severe painful inflammatory infections of the ear, nose or throat, such as pharyngotonsillitis and otitis, in addition to other medications.  Diclofenac in Voltaren D tablets 50mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase.  This action of diclofenac in Voltaren D tablets 50mg relieves symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. 

What are the side effects of Voltaren D?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg include gastrointestinal upset (stomach or stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating, wind, heartburn, indigestion, constipation) headache dizziness, vertigo, rash.

When should Voltaren D not be used?

You should not use Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to diclofenac or any other NSAID including aspirin or any ingredients in Voltaren D
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have any form of asthma including aspirin-induced asthma or rhinitis (runny itchy nose)  
• have severe heart failure or have had a heart attack within the last 12 months
• have active or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation due to an ulcer
• have a tendency to bleed easily
• are taking medicines that interact with Voltaren D including: aspirin or other NSAIDs, anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin, cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers for high blood pressure, digoxin for heart failure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes

What medications interact with Voltaren D?

Several medications interact with Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Voltaren D or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Voltaren D: aspirin or other NSAIDs, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, anticoagulants like warfarin
• Drugs that affect Voltaren D: cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout
• Drugs that are affected by Voltaren D: anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers for high blood pressure, digoxin for heart failure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes.

How should Voltaren D be taken?

You should take your Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg once to three times daily before a meal.  Dissolve by dropping a dispersible tablet into a glass of water and stir until fully dissolved.  Then swallow the entire contents of the glass, rinse the glass with more water and swallow; do not divide or chew these tablets.  The dose you take depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation and may be reduced or increased depending on side effects and how well you respond.  You should continue to take your Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for. 

How long should you take Voltaren D?

You should continue to take your Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for. 

Missed dose of Voltaren D

If you miss a dose of Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Voltaren D be stored?

You should store your Voltaren D dispersible tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.