Introduction
The preparation Voltaren® contains the active ingredient diclofenac, which belongs to the so-called non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs). It is used for the external treatment of pain, swelling and inflammation, and is particularly useful in rheumatic diseases or movement-related pain.
Side effects
As with all other drugs, side effects can occur when using Voltaren®. A distinction is made between: Since Voltaren® exists in different forms (for example, in the form of tablets for systemic therapy or as Voltaren® pain gel for direct application to the skin), it is important to note that the type and frequency of side effects may vary. In general, Voltaren® does not have very frequent side effects.
Common side effects with local application include skin rashes and reddening and itching, and occasionally dry skin, flaking or water retention (edema). Only rarely is the rash accompanied by the formation of blisters and very rarely sensitization of the skin is described, which is noticeable by the fact that the skin then reacts hypersensitively to light and after exposure to sunlight sometimes painful, pustular skin symptoms appear.
- Very frequent (occurring in more than one in ten people treated),
- Frequently (between one in a hundred and one in ten people treated),
- Occasionally (with between one in a thousand and one in a hundred people treated),
- Rare (where between one in ten thousand and one in a thousand) and
- Very rare (in less than one in ten thousand people treated) side effects.
Side effects of systemic intake
The side effects of systemic use of Voltaren® are different. They often include states of agitation, dizziness or fatigue. Voltaren® also frequently causes gastrointestinal discomfort.
This is because the enzyme that is inhibited by this drug and thus causes the anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effect also occurs in the stomach lining. There, however, it is a protective factor whose inhibition upsets the acid balance in the stomach. This often leads to stomach pain, digestive problems, nausea (sometimes with vomiting), diarrhoea, flatulence or loss of appetite. These side effects can be counteracted relatively well, however, by taking a tablet to protect the stomach (for example, the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, this can even be taken prophylactically if it is known that Voltaren® will be used for a long period of time).
