Monograph Details
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Musculoskeletal Disorders
> Arthritis/rheumatic disorders
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VOLTAREN GEL |
| Manufacturer |
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Endo Pharmaceuticals |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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NSAID (benzeneacetic acid deriv.). |
| Generic Name |
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Diclofenac sodium 1%; gel. |
| Indications |
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Relief of the pain of osteoarthritis of joints amenable to topical treatment (eg, knees, hands). |
| Children |
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Not recommended. |
| Adults |
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Use dosing card to apply gel. Lower extremities (eg, knees, ankles, feet): Apply 4g to the affected area 4 times daily; max: 16g/day. Upper extremities (eg, elbows, wrists, hands): Apply 2g to the affected area 4 times daily; max: 8g/day. Total max dose over all affected joints: 32g/day. Do not wash treated hands for at least 1hr after application. Wait at least 10 minutes after application before getting dressed. Use on spine, hip, or shoulder has not been evaluated. |
| Contraindications |
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Aspirin allergy. Late pregnancy. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery. |
| Precautions |
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Advanced renal disease: not recommended. Do not apply to open wounds, infections, inflammations, exfoliative dermatitis. Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, external heat and/or occlusive dressings, sunlight. Peptic ulcer. GI bleed. Asthma. CHF. Edema. Hypertension; monitor BP. Monitor blood, hepatic, renal function in long-term use; discontinue if toxicity develops. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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Avoid concomitant topical products and medications (eg, sunscreens, cosmetics, lotions, moisturizers, insect repellents). Increased risk of GI effects with aspirin, oral NSAIDs, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, alcohol, smoking. May antagonize diuretics, ACE-Inhibitors. Monitor for toxicity with lithium, methotrexate, cyclosporine. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Application site reactions (dermatitis, pruritus, erythema, paresthesia, dryness, vesicles, irritation); GI bleed/ulceration, edema, rash (may be serious; eg, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), anaphylactoid reactions. See literature re: risk of cardiovascular events. |
| How Supplied |
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Gel—100g |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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