Uses of Voltaren

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Voltaren 50mg is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) containing diclofenac sodium as its primary component. It is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, menstrual pain, and post-surgical pain.

1. Uses of Voltaren 50

Voltaren 50 contains diclofenac sodium as its active ingredient. This compound effectively alleviates joint pain at rest and during movement, mitigates morning stiffness, reduces joint swelling, enhances joint mobility, decreases spontaneous pain and inflammation associated with movement and postoperative inflammatory edema. Furthermore, diclofenac sodium is indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain of non-rheumatic etiology.

Voltaren 50 is formulated as light brown, round, enteric-coated film tablets. It is indicated for the following conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), non-articular rheumatism, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spondyloarthritis, and spinal pain syndromes.
• Acute gout attacks.
• Pain relief after surgery, trauma, or dental procedures.
• Gynecological pain, including menstrual cramps and pelvic inflammatory conditions.

2. Dosage and administration of Voltaren 50

Voltaren 50 is administered orally with an adequate volume of water. The tablet should be swallowed whole and must not be split, crushed, or chewed. It is advised to take the medication on an empty stomach, preferably before meals.

The dose of Voltaren 50mg is prescribed according to the patient's condition. To reduce the risk of adverse effects, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest possible duration while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

The maximum allowable daily dosage is 150mg.

The dose of Voltaren 50 is adjusted based on the patient's conditions as follows:

• Joint pain relief in adults: Initial dose of 100–150mg/day. For prolonged treatment or milder conditions, 75–100mg/day, divided into 2–3 doses. A 50mg suppository may be taken at bedtime to prevent nighttime and morning joint stiffness, ensuring the total daily dose does not exceed 150mg.
• Primary dysmenorrhea in adults: Initial dose of 50–150mg/day, which can be increased to a maximum of 200mg/day over subsequent menstrual cycles. It is advisable to initiate treatment at the first signs of symptoms, and continuation depends on symptom persistence.
• Pediatric arthritis (ages 1–14 years): 0.5–2 mg/kg/day, divided into 2–3 doses, depending on disease severity. In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the maximum dose may reach 3 mg/kg/day, divided into multiple doses. However, due to the high strength of Voltaren 50mg, it is not recommended for children and adolescents; Voltaren 25mg should be used instead.
• Elderly patients (over 65 years old): The lowest effective dose should be used, with careful monitoring for gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Patients with congestive heart failure (Class I) or major cardiovascular risk factors: Should not exceed 100mg/day if treatment duration exceeds four weeks.

An overdose of Voltaren 50 may cause symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, and seizures. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure and liver damage. Treatment of overdose requires supportive care and symptom-specific treatment based on complications such as gastrointestinal disturbances, respiratory depression, renal failure, hypotension, and seizures.

3. Adverse effects of Voltaren 50

Voltaren 50 may cause some adverse effects with the following frequencies:

• Common: Dizziness, headache; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea; increased transaminase levels; skin rash.
• Uncommon: Chest pain, palpitations, heart failure, myocardial infarction.
• Rare: Anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis; hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, hypotension, shock, angioedema, neurogenic edema; insomnia, psychiatric disorders, irritability, disorientation, nightmares, depression; tremors, taste disturbances, seizures, paresthesia, drowsiness, memory impairment, cerebrovascular accident, aseptic meningitis; rarely, Voltaren 50mg may cause blurred vision, visual disturbances, diplopia; hearing impairment, tinnitus; vasculitis, hypertension; pneumonia; esophageal disorders, glossitis, constipation, intestinal stricture, gastrointestinal ulcers, colitis, pancreatitis, hematemesis, gastrointestinal bleeding, melena; liver dysfunction, liver failure, jaundice, hepatitis, hepatic necrosis; urticaria, erythema, eczema, bullous dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lyell’s syndrome, photosensitivity reactions, alopecia, pruritus, purpura; tubulointerstitial nephritis, acute kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome, hematuria, proteinuria, renal papillary necrosis; edema.

If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking Voltaren 50mg, discontinue use immediately and consult a doctor, pharmacist, or visit a healthcare facility for appropriate and safe management to minimize the drug's impact on health and life.

4. Precautions while taking Voltaren 50

• Voltaren 50mg is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to its components, gastrointestinal perforation, peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or a history of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding. It should not be administered to women in the third trimester of pregnancy, patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment, acute rhinitis, urticaria, asthma, congestive heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV), ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, or children weighing less than 35kg.
• Use caution when administering Voltaren 50mg to elderly patients (>65 years), as they are at an increased risk for severe gastrointestinal complications, including ulceration, perforation, and hemorrhage.
• Patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease need close medical supervision while taking this medication.
• High-risk cardiovascular patients on prolonged treatment (over four weeks) should assess regularly to evaluate their medication effectiveness and the necessity of continued treatment. If symptoms of arterial thrombosis occur, such as shortness of breath, breathlessness, chest pain, weakness, or difficulty speaking, the patient should seek medical attention immediately.
• For long-term treatment with Voltaren 50, blood count monitoring is important, particularly in patients with clotting disorders.
• Use caution when administering Voltaren 50mg in patients with asthma, seasonal allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic respiratory infections, or other allergies.
• Liver function should be regularly monitored during Voltaren treatment, particularly in prolonged treatment. If liver function abnormalities occur, discontinue the drug and consult a doctor. Patients with hepatic porphyria should take Voltaren with caution, as it leads to acute porphyria attacks.
• Discontinue Voltaren 50 immediately at the first signs of skin or mucosal reactions, such as rash or any other hypersensitivity reaction.
• Renal function should be monitored during Voltaren 50 treatment to detect and prevent early signs of cardio-renal impairment.
• Voltaren 50mg may reduce female fertility; therefore, this medicine is contraindicated for patients who are planning, attempting to conceive, or experiencing infertility.
• Women trying to conceive or in the first trimester of pregnancy should be prescribed the lowest possible dose of Voltaren 50mg for the shortest duration necessary.
• Voltaren is contraindicated for breastfeeding women, as the drug is excreted in breast milk and may affect the infant.
• Activities requiring high concentration, such as driving or operating machinery, should be limited, as Voltaren 50 may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and central nervous system disturbances.
• Voltaren 50 may interact with various medications: CYP2C9 inhibitors significantly increase diclofenac plasma peak concentration and exposure; lithium and digoxin plasma levels increase when co-administered with Voltaren 50; diuretics and antihypertensives may have reduced efficacy when taken with Voltaren 50, nephrotoxicity risk increases when co-administered with ciclosporin or tacrolimus, potassium-sparing diuretics may cause elevated serum potassium levels when taken with Voltaren 50; quinolone antibiotics may lead to seizures when taken concurrently with Voltaren 50.
• Additionally, potential drug interactions of Voltaren 50mg under consideration include: increased gastrointestinal adverse effects when co-administered with corticosteroids or systemic NSAIDs; higher bleeding risk when taken concurrently with anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications.; elevated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when taken concomitantly with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; elevated serum methotrexate levels and toxicity when taken with methotrexate; increased plasma phenytoin concentration when co-administered with phenytoin, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia when combined with antidiabetic drugs.
• To minimize and prevent drug interaction-related complications, patients should inform their doctor of their medical history and all medications they are currently taking or have taken, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products, before starting Voltaren 50.

Voltaren 50 is indicated for reducing inflammatory joint pain in rheumatic and non-rheumatic conditions, relieving pain associated with gout, postoperative and post-traumatic pain, menstrual pain or gynecological inflammatory disorders.

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