Voltaren/Diclofenac sodium IS USED FOR:

Treating joint swelling, pain, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients who are at a high risk of developing NSAID-induced ulcers or their complications. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Voltaren/Diclofenac is an NSAID and prostaglandin analog combination. The prostaglandin maintains prostaglandin activity needed to protect the lining of the stomach and reduce acid secretion, reducing the risk of ulcers. The NSAID decreases prostaglandins that cause pain and inflammation, relieving joint pain.

It can also be used to reduce menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea.

DO NOT USE Voltaren/Diclofenac sodium IF:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Voltaren/Diclofenac or other prostaglandins
• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to aspirin or an NSAID (eg, Motrin/ibuprofen, Naprelan/naproxen, Celebrex/celecoxib)
• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Voltaren/Diclofenac sodium :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; gas; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach pain; swelling; upset stomach; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestines; dark urine; fever; heart failure; increase in asthma attacks; increased liver injury; loss of appetite; severe diarrhea; sore throat; trouble breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising; vaginal bleeding after menopause; vision or hearing problems; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; weight loss; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Diabetes patients - Voltaren/Diclofenac may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Voltaren/Diclofenac may cause drowsiness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Voltaren/Diclofenac with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Women who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control while they are taking Voltaren/Diclofenac. Talk with your doctor if you are unsure of effective birth control methods.
• Voltaren/Diclofenac should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, liver function tests, and electrolytes, may be performed while you use Voltaren/Diclofenac. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Voltaren/Diclofenac if you are pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Voltaren/Diclofenac is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Voltaren/Diclofenac.
• Voltaren/Diclofenac may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Voltaren/Diclofenac. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

BEFORE USING Voltaren/Diclofenac sodium :

Some medical conditions may interact with Voltaren/Diclofenac. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you have asthma; bone marrow depression; canker sores; or a hole, bleeding, or destruction of tissue in the stomach or intestines; or you are dehydrated
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you drink alcohol
• if you have a history of kidney or liver problems, the blood disease porphyria, bleeding problems, lupus, heart disease, ulcer problems, or high blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Voltaren/Diclofenac. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Sandimmune/Cyclosporine or Rheumatrex/methotrexate because the risk of toxicity may be increased
• Quinolone antibiotics (eg, Cipro/ciprofloxacin) because the risk of side effects, such as seizures, may be increased
• Lithobid/Lithium because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Voltaren/Diclofenac
• Anticoagulants (eg, Coumadin/warfarin), heparin, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, Sarafem/fluoxetine, Paxil cr/paroxetine) because the risk of side effects, such as bleeding, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Voltaren/Diclofenac may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Voltaren/Diclofenac sodium :

Use Voltaren/Diclofenac as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Voltaren/Diclofenac by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Voltaren/Diclofenac comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Voltaren/Diclofenac refilled.
• If you miss a dose of Voltaren/Diclofenac , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
• Do not take magnesium-containing antacids while taking Voltaren/Diclofenac. If an antacid is needed, use one with Phoslo/calcium or aluminum.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Voltaren/Diclofenac.

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.