Voltaren (Diclofenac) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview
Voltaren is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the pain of osteoarthritis in joints amenable to topical treatment (through the skin), such as the knees and joints of the hands. Voltaren is sometimes used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Voltaren is also referred to by its drug name, diclofenac.

Voltaren is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs help reduce fever, pain, and inflammation. Voltaren is believed to work by inhibiting the production of chemicals that promote inflammation that damages tissues.

How do I take it?
Voltaren is available as a gel that is rubbed onto the joints four times daily.

Volteren used to be available by prescription only. It is now available as an over-the-counter treatment.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Voltaren lists common side effects including application site reactions, including dermatitis.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Voltaren include stroke, heart attack, elevation of liver enzymes, renal damage, high blood pressure, severe allergic reactions, fluid retention, edema (swelling), skin reactions, including a potentially fatal reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and stomach and intestinal damage.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Voltaren — GSK
https://www.voltarengel.com/what-is-voltaren

Voltaren — RxList
http://www.rxlist.com/voltaren-drug.htm