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Diclofenac Gel
Diclofenac gel ( Solaraze® Gel, Voltaren® Gel) is a prescription medication. The 1 percent gel (Voltaren) is approved to treat osteoarthritis, while the 3 percent gel (Solaraze) is approved to treat a precancerous skin condition known as actinic keratosis.
As with any medicine, diclofenac gel may cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well.
If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
In studies, skin reactions at the application site were the most common side effects of this medication.
(Click Side Effects of Diclofenac Gel to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Using It?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using diclofenac gel if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How Does Diclofenac Gel Work?
Diclofenac gel belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs). Like other NSAIDs, it works for arthritis by blocking a specific enzyme known as cyclooxygenase (COX), blocking the production of various inflammatory substances in the body. However, because it works mostly where it is applied (only 6 to 10 percent of the medication actually reaches the rest of the body), diclofenac gel helps to lower the exposure to the rest of the body (which may decrease the risk of dangerous side effects).
It is not entirely clear how diclofenac gel works to treat actinic keratosis lesions, although it is thought that by inhibiting the COX enzymes, it may encourage death of the precancerous cells.
Some general considerations include the following:
- Diclofenac gel is usually applied to the skin four times a day (for arthritis treatment) or twice a day (for actinic keratosis treatment).
- Do not apply a bandage or use a heating pad over the area of application.
- Do not use lotions, cosmetics, insect repellants, or any other products on the skin where you apply the gel.
- Wash your hands after applying diclofenac gel, unless you are treating your hands.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
Dosing Information
The dose of diclofenac gel that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- The area of the body being treated
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Diclofenac Gel Drug Interactions
Serious effects are most likely to occur if an overdose of this medication is accidentally ingested by mouth, rather than applied to the skin.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Diclofenac Gel?
If you forget to take your dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Diclofenac gel should be stored at room temperature (be sure to avoid freezing it). Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Is There a Generic Version of Diclofenac Gel?
Currently, diclofenac gel is not available in generic form.
Who Makes Diclofenac Gel?
Voltaren Gel is made by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., while Solaraze Gel is made by PharmaDerm, a division of Nycomed US, Inc.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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