Monograph Details

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Pain & Pyrexia > Topical analgesics/anesthetics

FLECTOR PATCH

Manufacturer

Alpharma Branded Products Division, Inc.

Legal Classification

Pharmacological Class

NSAID.

Generic Name

Diclofenac epolamine 180mg; per patch.

Indications

Topical treatment of acute pain due to minor strains, sprains, and contusions.

Children

Not recommended.

Adults

Use lowest effective dose for shortest possible duration. Apply 1 patch to clean, dry, intact skin on most painful area twice daily. May tape edges down if patch begins to peel off. Wash hands after application. Remove during bathing/showering.

Contraindications

Aspirin triad/allergy. Perioperative pain for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Non-intact or damaged skin (eg, dermatitis, eczema, burns, wounds, lesions).

Precautions

Advanced renal disease: not recommended. History of ulcer disease or GI bleed, or risks thereof (eg, concomitant corticosteroids, anticoagulants, smoking, alcohol use, prolonged NSAID therapy). Cardiovascular disease or risk. Hypertension. Heart failure. Fluid retention. Impaired renal or liver function. Monitor blood pressure and for thrombotic and GI events. Not a substitute for corticosteroids. Avoid eyes, mucosa. Handle and dispose of properly. Elderly (monitor renal function). Debilitated. Pregnancy (Cat.C; avoid in late pregnancy). Labor & delivery. Nursing mothers: not recommended.

Interactions

Avoid concomitant aspirin. May potentiate lithium, methotrexate, warfarin. May antagonize antihypertensive (eg, ACEIs). Concomitant diuretics, ACEIs: increased risk of renal decompensation.

Adverse Reactions

Skin reactions (eg, burning, dermatitis, pruritus), GI events (eg, nausea, dysgeusia, dyspepsia), headache, paresthesia, somnolence. Discontinue if rash or hepatic reaction occurs. See literature re: risk of cardiovascular events, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, GI ulcer/bleed.

How Supplied

Patch—30