Dosage

While all available drugs are pharmacy-only, whether or not they are prescription-only depends on the dosage form and dosage of the active ingredient diclofenac. As a rule, the recommended dose for systemic treatment with Voltaren® (diclofenac) in adults is between 50 and 150 milligrams per day. After ingestion, the effect develops relatively quickly: with normal tablets, on average within one hour.

The effect then usually lasts for about 3 or 4 hours. Only in the case of the retard preparations, which only release their active ingredient gradually into the body, does it take about 12 hours for the effect to fade away. For local application of Voltaren®, for example Voltaren Pain Gel, the rule of thumb is that a quantity of 1 to 4g (which in the case of this gel is roughly the size of a walnut) should be applied thinly to the affected area up to four times a day. In addition to the active ingredient diclofenac, the locally applied remedies also help to soothe and cool the pain by containing alcohol and water.

Side effects

As with the use of any medication, the use of Voltaren®/Diclofenac can cause a variety of side effects.These range from general complaints such as: local symptoms such as rashes when applied locally, to more serious diseases and impairments. The cyclooxygenase is also localized in the stomach mucosa, among other things. There, the prostaglandins produced provide protection against the destructive power of stomach acid.

However, as the production of these prostaglandins is reduced by Diclofenac, the balance can be upset and the acid can become harmful. This is why Voltaren®, like all other cyclooxygenase inhibitors, often leads to side effects in the gastrointestinal tract. These include, among others: Since Voltaren® must be broken down in the liver when used internally, it can also lead to inflammation of the liver, sometimes including jaundice and dysfunction, especially when this drug is taken over a long period or in high doses, when combined with other preparations that are metabolized in the liver or can potentially damage it for other reasons, or when alcohol is consumed in large quantities.

Less common side effects of Voltaren® include anemia, airway constriction resulting in shortness of breath, bleeding propensity, hypertension, heart attacks or kidney dysfunction. It is therefore important to be aware of any adverse effects when using Voltaren® and to have regular checks on liver, kidney and blood pressure when using Voltaren® over a long period of time. If side effects are noticed, you should always consult a doctor, with whom you can then take appropriate countermeasures or discuss whether it makes sense to discontinue the medication or replace it with another.

Tiredness
Swindle
Indisposition or
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Loss of appetite
Stomach Ulcers
Gastric bleeding
Flatulence, or
Gastric mucosa inflammations

Voltaren® is almost completely metabolized by the liver. Continuous and repeated use can lead to liver damage. The increased activity of the liver can be shown in the laboratory values.

An increase in the so-called transaminases may occur. This increase may be noticed with or without noticeable symptoms. Liver diseases can manifest themselves in skin rashes and liver inflammation.

If liver damage exists, the use of Voltaren® must be strictly monitored. The active ingredient diclofenac is contraindicated in patients who have a specific blood formation disorder that affects liver function. In addition, drugs that are also broken down by the liver increase the risk of liver damage.

The additional consumption of alcohol can also lead to faster and more severe liver damage. Since the liver is an important detoxification organ of our body, liver damage can affect many different organs and parts of the body. Prolonged or repeated consumption of Voltaren® can damage kidney functions.

This can be explained by the mechanisms of action. By inhibiting a particular enzyme, the dilatations in certain renal vessels are inhibited. This slows down the blood flow to the kidneys.

If the kidney is not sufficiently supplied with blood, its filtering function may be reduced. In addition, the inhibition of the other enzyme can cause poorer blood flow in the renal arteries. In particular, people with damaged kidneys or kidney disease are at risk of further damage to their kidneys if they take Voltaren®.

Again, other drugs may increase the risk of kidney side effects. If Voltaren® is taken continuously or frequently, the kidney functions must be checked regularly. Since the kidney has a very important filter function in our body, damage to it can mean that certain toxins can no longer be adequately removed from our body.

The kidney also plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. In the case of damage, this can also lead directly or reflectively to increased blood pressure. The inhibition of one enzyme leads to a reduced synthesis of prostaglandins.

As a result, fewer bicarbonate ions are released. Consequently, the formation of gastric mucus can be reduced.This can lead to an imbalance between the formation of gastric mucus and gastric acid. Stomach acid can attack the stomach.

This can lead to stomach damage and a stomach ulcer, a so-called ventriculous ulcer. However, due to the active ingredient Diclofenac, the risk of developing stomach ulcers is theoretically relatively lower than with other active ingredients in the same class of active ingredients. However, when diclofenac is combined with glucocorticoids, the risk adds up.

This is due to the properties of the two active ingredients. If Voltaren® has already caused damage to the stomach, the glucocorticoids ensure that the damage heals less effectively. The risk of developing a stomach ulcer increases accordingly.

A medical consultation can reduce side effects. If necessary, a prophylactic, stomach-protecting medication may be helpful. Very rarely do serious skin reactions occur during treatment with Voltaren®.

In these rare cases, redness and blistering may occur. In individual cases a fatal outcome has been reported. These reactions occurred mainly at the beginning of the treatment.

If signs of a rash or changes in the mucous membranes occur, a doctor should be contacted. High blood pressure can also be explained by the mechanism of action of Dicolfenac. The inhibition of one enzyme prevents the formation of certain substances in the kidney.

This minimizes the excretion of sodium and thus water. As a result, more sodium and water is retained. This eventually leads to an increase in blood pressure.

In addition, the inhibition of the other enzyme can contribute to an increase in blood pressure due to a possible narrowing of the renal arteries. If other drugs are taken that raise blood pressure, the risk of this side effect increases. In addition, certain risk factors for high blood pressure can, in combination with Voltaren®, increase it.