Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

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Voltaren Hero Shot Orange

Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel has a triple effect of relieving arthritis pain, improving mobility, and reducing stiffness to help your patients restore the joy of movement. It penetrates deep at the source of inflammation to treat OA pain, providing effective relief.

Supported by Guideline Recommendations for the Management of OA Pain

The ACR and OARSI guidelines favor NSAIDs like Voltaren as a first-line treatment of OA pain

  • The ACR strongly recommends topical NSAIDs, like Voltaren, for first-line relief of OA pain, ahead of acetaminophen
  • OARSI strongly recommends a topical NSAID like Voltaren for OA of the knee7

See why Voltaren is the #1 doctor-recommended topical analgesic with a proven safety profile for over 10 years.8

Emugel Formulation Chart

The Voltaren Emulgel Formulation

While diclofenac does permeate the skin on its own, Voltaren is specially designed with its emulgel formulation to aid diclofenac's entry into and transit through the skin. It delivers diclofenac across the skin faster than a diclofenac solution of the same concentration.*1 Voltaren’s emulgel formulation contains an aqueous-alcoholic base that exerts a soothing and cooling effect when applied as it penetrates up to 1 cm beneath the skin, directly at the site of pain.

As it continues to penetrate the skin, it forms a diclofenac reservoir, which is continuously released into the underlying tissue.1

*Comparison of diclofenac transdermal permeation ex vivo from Voltaren® Arthritis Pain gel and a solution of diclofenac sodium (wt %, pH 8.1) in water/isopropanol 50/50 wt %). Source: Data on file, GSK 2019. Penetration Study.

Penetration Diagram

Penetration: Penetrates deep at the site of pain

Voltaren is specially designed with our emulgel formulation to penetrate deep through the skin, up to 1 cm, and accumulates in the synovial tissue while producing a sustained analgesic effect.

See the MOA

Hand science and potent formula visualization

Potency: Potent formula to treat arthritis pain

Voltaren contains 1% diclofenac sodium gel, this potent formula is proven to treat pain caused by inflammation. Compared to other NSAIDS, a much lower concentration of diclofenac is needed to inhibit the same proportion of COX-2 enzymes.

Mobility stairs

Pain-on-Movement Reduction: Reduces pain-on-movement to improve mobility

Voltaren is proven to reduce pain on movement by 46% for patients 65+ with knee OA at week 12 and improved physical function for patients with hand OA by up to 45% when performing daily activities at week 6.9-10

See the science

Voltaren Systemic Exposure Graph

Safety: Voltaren provides low systemic exposure and is well tolerated

Systemic exposure and maximum plasma concentrations of Voltaren are significantly lower than an equivalent dose of oral diclofenac sodium.

  • The amount of diclofenac sodium that is systemically absorbed from Voltaren is on average 6% of the systemic exposure from an oral form of diclofenac sodium4
  • With recommended use 4 x 4g daily (applied to 1 knee), average peak plasma concentration is 158x lower than with oral diclofenac4

It is also clinically proven to provide effective arthritis pain relief and is well tolerated in adults, regardless of age (25-92 years). For patients ≥ 65 years with comorbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease it is clinically proven to be well-tolerated when used for the treatment of arthritis pain.

Safety profile compared to placebo10

The most common side effect when using Voltaren compared to other systemic treatments is application site reactions.

See safety evidence

How to Apply Voltaren

Voltaren application

How to Apply Voltaren

  • Patients should use it 4x a day, every day for up to 21 days. Patients may start to feel relief within a few days when used consistently and as directed.
  • The dosing card should always be used to measure a dose
    • For each upper body area (hand, wrist, or elbow), squeeze out 2.25 inches (2 grams)
    • For each lower body area (foot, ankle, or knee), squeeze out 4.5 inches (4 grams)
    • Do not use on more than 2 body areas at the same time

Download dosing card

Easy-to-Use Flip-Top Cap

Voltaren is recognized by the Arthritis Foundation for its NEW Ease-of-Use Flip-Top cap* that can be opened by your patients with their palm, fingers, or even with just one hand.

Help your patients feel the joy of movement

Voltaren packaging

Recommend Voltaren

The #1 doctor recommended topical pain brand* with a proven safety profile that delivers targeted arthritis pain relief.

Voltaren FAQs

  • Explore answers to our most frequently asked questions below

    Can patients use an oral NSAID like naproxen or ibuprofen while using Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel? If not, what alternatives can I recommend instead?

    It is not recommended that patients use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel and oral NSAIDs at the same time.

    Can patients use prescription oral diclofenac while using Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel?

    Patients should not use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel while taking prescription oral diclofenac or any other product containing an NSAID.5

    If a patient is allergic to oral diclofenac, can they use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel?

    If a patient is known to be allergic to oral diclofenac, or to any other pain reliever or fever reducer, they should not use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel.5

    Should patients use Voltaren in close proximity to cardiac surgery or if they are dealing with heart-related complications?

    Patients should not use Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel right before or after heart surgery. Patients with heart disease should ask a doctor before using.5

    Are there any specific precautions or considerations for individuals with liver conditions who may be using Voltaren Arthritis Pain over an extended period?

    Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel contains diclofenac, an NSAID. Liver damage may occur if you apply more product than directed or use for a longer period of time than directed (> 21 days). Liver damage may also occur if you use the product while using other drugs that contain diclofenac or other NSAIDs.

    Does Voltaren have any detrimental effects on renal function?

    No accumulation of diclofenac and its metabolites is to be expected in patients suffering from renal impairment.6

    Is diclofenac sodium gel 1% the only OTC topical NSAID currently approved in the US?

    Diclofenac sodium gel 1% is the only OTC topical NSAID gel currently approved by the FDA for use in the US.

    If only 6% of Voltaren is absorbed into the bloodstream, how much does that translate to in milligrams?

    The average absorption rate of topically applied diclofenac is approximately 6% (Bariguian Revel 2020; Kienzler 2010), although this value is highly variable between individuals. 2-4 Assuming a 6% absorption rate, if 2g of 1% diclofenac sodium gel is applied (20 mg of diclofenac sodium), approximately 1.2 mg of diclofenac might enter the bloodstream. Likewise, if 4g of 1% diclofenac sodium is applied (40 mg diclofenac sodium), approximately 2.4 mg of diclofenac might enter the bloodstream.

    What are common signs of an allergic reaction to Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel?

    Symptoms of an allergic reaction to diclofenac or other NSAIDs may include hives, asthma (wheezing), skin reddening, blisters, facial swelling, shock, and rash.5

    What areas of the body is Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel indicated for?

    Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel can be used to relieve OA symptoms on upper body areas including the hand, wrist, and elbow, as well as lower body areas including the knee, ankle, and foot.5

    What is the most common side effect when using Voltaren?

    The most common side effect when using Voltaren compared to other systemic treatments is application site reactions.

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