Is Voltaren gel safer than pills?
Asked by: Dr. Elnora Ledner Sr. | Last update: February 4, 2024Score: 4.5/5 (62 votes)
The gel comes with less risk because it is put on and absorbed through your skin, while the oral form goes through your entire body (systemic). Before you use Voltaren in any form, you should tell your provider about any other medications or supplements you take.
Is Voltaren cream safer than pills?
The drug penetrates the skin, enters the joint and reduces the pain signals in the joint. The level of drug entering the bloodstream is much lower than when the NSAID is taken by mouth. For example, topical NSAIDs reduce the systemic exposure by almost 90 percent. This minimizes the risk of harmful side effects.
What's better Voltaren gel or tablets?
It appears that Voltaren Gel works as well as Voltaren tablets when it comes to those joints that are closer to the surface of the body, such as the hands, knees, elbows and ankles. In fact, pain levels fell by 46% among patients with osteoarthritis of the hands after six weeks of regularly applying the Voltaren Gel.
Is diclofenac gel as good as the pill?
Less Pain, Fewer Side Effects
Diclofenac is available as a gel (Voltaren and generic), drop (Pennsaid and generic), or patch (Flector). Compared with pills, those topical forms of the medication result in lower levels of the medication in your blood.
Is topical diclofenac safer than oral ibuprofen?
Topical NSAIDs may be safer than oral ones because the drug stays close to the site of application, so levels in the blood and more remote tissues remain low. But more research is needed to clarify these possible benefits, the study authors say.
New OTC Voltaren Gel Pain Reliever VS Advil/Motrin, Aleve Or Tylenol. Facts For Best Choice
What is the risk of diclofenac gel?
NSAIDs such as topical diclofenac (Pennsaid, Voltaren) may cause swelling, ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine. These problems may develop at any time during treatment, may happen without warning symptoms, and may cause death.
Does topical diclofenac have the same side effects as oral?
Compared with diclofenac topical solution, oral diclofenac was associated with significantly greater increases in liver enzymes and creatinine, and greater decreases in creatinine clearance and hemoglobin (Figure 1).
Why do doctors not like diclofenac?
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, or if you're elderly or in poor general health. Your doctor may tell you not to take diclofenac if you have a stomach ulcer or have had one in the past.
Is Voltaren gel the same as diclofenac pill?
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.
What happens if you use too much Voltaren gel?
Symptoms of overdose/swallowing may include: severe stomach pain, change in the amount of urine, slow/shallow breathing.
Why are you not supposed to use Voltaren on your back?
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.
Is there anything better than Voltaren?
Lidocaine is an anesthetic and works by blocking nerve conduction to numb the feeling of pain. This makes the lidocaine versions of Aspercreme, Icy Hot, and Bengay better for nerve pain than Voltaren.
Where should you not use Voltaren gel?
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.
Why was Voltaren taken off the market?
"This is a drug that has about the same risk of causing heart attacks as a drug called Vioxx, which was withdrawn from the market eight years ago because of this adverse effect," Henry, who is also a clinical pharmacologist, said in an interview with CBC News.
Why can't you use Voltaren long term?
Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease.
Who should not use Voltaren tablets?
Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). You should not use Voltaren if you are allergic to diclofenac, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.
How long does Voltaren gel stay in your system?
How long does Voltaren gel stay in your system? It may take up to 7 days to feel the full effects of Voltaren gel. The medication typically reaches its highest level in the body roughly 10 to 14 hours after applying it. Diclofenac sodium (the medication in Voltaren gel) can stay in the body for nearly 3 weeks.
Does Voltaren raise 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.
How long can I take diclofenac for arthritis?
How long can you take diclofenac for? Diclofenac is typically prescribed as a long-term treatment. You'll take the medication for as long as it's safe and effective in treating symptoms of your condition. Diclofenac can sometimes be used short term if this works to treat symptoms of your condition.
Is diclofenac hard on your heart?
People who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as diclofenac may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than people who do not take these medications. These events may happen without warning and may cause death.
How long can you take diclofenac gel?
How long can I use diclofenac sodium topical gel? Use diclofenac sodium topical gel 4 times a day every day for up to 21 days for treatment of arthritis pain or as directed by your doctor.
Can topical diclofenac cause liver damage?
Nevertheless, more than a hundred instances of clinically apparent liver injury due to diclofenac have been reported in the literature and, in most case series, diclofenac ranks in the top 10 causes of drug induced liver injury. The time to onset of liver injury varies from within a week to over a year after starting.
Does topical diclofenac affect kidneys?
There are also topical products for arthritis that affects only one or two joints. A gel form of the prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren Gel) is one option. Only a very small amount of the drug gets into the bloodstream, so it may be safe for your kidneys.
What are the long term side effects of topical diclofenac?
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. These problems can happen without warning signs.