Diclofenac (Voltarol)

Diclofenac sodium is a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory which works by blocking the action of some of the body chemicals responsible for causing pain, swelling, tenderness, inflammation and high temperature.

It belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.

It is usually used to relieve pain, inflammation and fever.

In general this drug is used to reduce pain and inflammation in the following conditions: sprains, strains and other injuries, pain following surgery, gout, lower back pain, migraine attacks, tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons), bursitis, painful conditions which affect the joints and muscles such as osteoarthritis (a condition caused by wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints), rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine) and pyrophosphate arthropathy (a condition similar to gout caused by the deposition of calcium crystal in the large joints).

Diclofenac sodium eye drops are used before surgery to keep the pupils open during surgery, after eye surgery or injury to control pain and inflammation and to reduce hayfever symptoms of the eye e.g. red, runny or itchy eyes.

Diclofenac sodium gel is used for the treatment of actinic keratosis, a skin problem caused by long-term exposure to the sun.

Benefits of being on this drug can include relief of pain, swelling, inflammation and fever.

Listed below are the typical uses of diclofenac sodium:

• Sprains, strains and other injuries
• Pain and inflammation following surgery
• Rheumatic pain
• Muscular pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Acute gout
• Backache
• Pain relief in fractures
• Dental pain
• Period pain
• Fever
• Migraine
• Inflammation of the eye (eye drops)
• Actinic keratosis (gel only)

On occasion your doctor may prescribe this medicine to treat a condition not on the above list.

Diclofenac tablets are no longer available to purchase from pharmacies, without a prescription from your doctor. Topical preparations such as gels will remain available to buy over the counter.