Fields of application

The manufacturer’s recommended uses for Voltaren Resinate® include a wide range of painful and inflammatory conditions, particularly of the musculoskeletal system (which includes the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and tendons). Voltaren Resinat® is recommended for the treatment of acute or chronic joint inflammation (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), especially if it is caused by inflammatory rheumatic diseases or the underlying disease gout. Inflammatory diseases of muscles, ligaments or tendons can also be successfully treated with Voltaren Resinat®, including for example the treatment of so-called tennis elbow.

Voltaren Resinat® can also be successfully used for diseases and pain of the spine, whether they are caused by wear and tear (such as arthrosis) or occur in the context of an inflammatory rheumatic disease (such as ankylosing spondylitis). This medication is also indicated for mild to moderate pain in the event of inflammation or swelling caused by surgery or injury. Even pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea), if not explained by an organic finding, or painful inflammation of the fallopian tubes can be treated with Voltaren Resinat® (in the latter case, possibly in combination with antibiotics).

Remedy. Even the pain that occurs in some cancers, especially when they are accompanied by inflammation-induced water retention in the tissue (edema) or affect the bones, sometimes respond to Voltaren Resinat®. Voltaren resinat®, or the active ingredient diclofenac, like other non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs), inhibits an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX).

These drugs are therefore also known as COX inhibitors. Enzymes are biochemical catalysts that have the ability to accelerate biochemical reactions.The enzyme, which is inhibited in its function by Voltaren resinat®, exists in at least two forms in the human organism. A distinction is made between cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).

Cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) is continuously present in tissues and cells in the same quantity and activity, while cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is formed by messenger substances that are present during inflammation (the so-called inflammation mediators). In technical terms, this means that cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) is constitutively expressed and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is inducible. However, in certain tissues, such as the brain, the kidney or the inner lining of blood vessels (the vascular endothelium), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is also continuously present.

Non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs), which include Voltaren resinat®, temporarily inhibit the activity of this enzyme. The inhibition is reversible, i.e. it is reversible and after the drug has disappeared the enzyme can continue to work unaffected. In contrast, irreversible enzyme inhibitors ensure that the enzyme is no longer capable of accelerating a biochemical reaction even after the drug has disappeared, and must be restored in order to resume its function.

Different non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs) have different effects on the two forms of enzyme. For example, there are active ingredients that are more specific for cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) or cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) or that have the ability to limit the effect of both enzymes. Voltaren resinat® with the active ingredient diclofenac is not selective in its action, i.e. Voltaren resinat® inhibits the action of both cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).

This results in antipyretic (antipyretic), analgesic (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory (antiphlogistic) effects. The anti-inflammatory effect can be explained by the fact that the inhibition of cyclooxygenases limits the production of messenger substances that play a central role in an inflammatory reaction. These messenger substances include, for example, the prostaglandins E2 and I2.

Prostaglandins are tissue hormones produced by the above mentioned cyclooxygenases and have various effects in the human organism, such as participation in inflammatory processes. The analgesic effect is also achieved by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins. Thus, although prostaglandin E2 does not itself trigger pain, it is able to sensitize nerve endings to pain-inducing signals.

In simple terms, prostaglandins normally facilitate the development of pain, which is prevented by preparations such as Voltaren resinat®. The antipyretic effect can also be explained by prostaglandin E2, which also plays a central role in the fever reaction. By inhibiting the enzymes through Voltaren resinat®, the fever reaction is also inhibited. In summary, it can be said that Volatren resinat® inhibition of enzymes prevents the formation of signal molecules that are responsible for an inflammatory reaction, a fever reaction and a pain reaction, thus reducing signs of inflammation, fever and pain.