Generic Voltarol

Voltarol is a brand name for the generic medication diclofenac sodium. It is a non-steroidal anti-imflammatory drug (NSAID), a drug used to relieve pain and inflammation. Voltarol is effective in treating the pain or inflammation caused by many different ailments, including arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis and chronic juvenile arthritis), gout, sprains, fractures, dislocations, back pain, tendonitis, and bursitis. It also helps in the recovery from dental surgery or other minor surgeries. Voltarol is available in different kinds of tablets, suppositories, and gel.

Voltarol e/c tablets are unique in that they have a special coating on them that prevents the stomach from absorbing the active ingredient in the stomach. This enables it to cause less irritation of the stomach than other NSAIDs. It is designed to be absorbed in the intestines, instead. Voltarol dispersible tablets are dissolved in water first, then swallowed, allowing for very quick absorption and effectiveness. Voltarol SR tablets are extended-release and help ease and prevent pain throughout the day.

As with many NSAIDs, Voltarol can cause irritation to the stomach. This is especially true with the dispersible tablet, which has no protective coating and is absorbed very quickly in the stomach. In some cases, ulceration, bleeding, or perforation of the stomach or intestinal lining can result. That risk is increased for the elderly and for those taking high doses of this medication. If you are sensitive to NSAIDs, or if you have a history of stomach problems, your doctor may want to monitor you to make sure you are reacting well to the medication. In come cases, you may be prescribed an additional medication to help protect your stomach from irritation or damage. If you experience serious side effects such as a black tarry stool or vomiting blood, you should stop taking Voltarol and contact your doctor. Voltarol can also cause dizziness or drowsiness, so avoid activities where mental alertness is necessary, such as driving or operating machinery.

Some people should use extreme caution when taking Voltarol. If you have liver disease or kidney disease, if you have heart failure, if you are taking diuretic medications or recovering from major surgery, your doctor should make sure your kidneys are working as they should be before allowing you to be treated with Voltarol. In rare cases, Voltarol can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which can result in serious blistering or peeling of the skin. If this happens, you should stop taking Voltarol immediately and contact your doctor. If you have asthma, high blood pressure, a blood clotting disorder that requires you to take anti-coagulants, or connective tissue disease such as lupus, you should consult your doctor before taking Voltarol.

Voltarol is not considered safe during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. When taken in the third trimester, it can increase the length of labor and sometimes cause complications for the baby. This medication does pass into breast milk, but at normal doses it is unlikely to harm a baby. Always let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding or plan to do so.