"Voltaren" (patch) - a therapeutic agent containing diclofenac, relieving pain in joints, back, muscles. This is the first patch, which is not a medical product, but a drug.
pharmachologic effect
The medication is a tissue base on which an adhesive layer is applied containing diclofenac - NSAIDs, which has been used for medical purposes for decades to reduce soreness, stiffness and swelling in inflammatory arthropathy, osteoarthritis, rheumatism and trauma to soft tissues, back pain. The active ingredient inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, due to which pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are achieved. At the place of application, the pain syndrome is eliminated, swelling associated with the process of inflammation is reduced. Also, Voltaren (patch) significantly increases the pain threshold (in this regard, its effectiveness is better than when using the Indomethacin patch, which is confirmed by reviews).
Pharmacokinetics
The diclofenac present in the adhesive layer within twenty-four hours steadily penetrates the skin to the source of pain. The concentration in the muscle tissue of the active ingredient when using the Voltaren patch will be the same as when using the Voltaren Emulgel gel. Therefore, we can say that these drugs are bioequivalent. 99.7% of diclofenac binds to serum proteins, including 99.4% with albumin. The half-life of the active substance is one to two hours. The elimination half-life of metabolites is one to three hours. Excretion is carried out mainly with urine.
In patients suffering from impaired renal function, diclofenac and metabolites do not accumulate. In people with uncompensated cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, the metabolism and kinetics of the active component occur in the same way as in people without liver disease.
Indications for use
With many diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the Voltaren medicine will be effective. The patch is used for back pain in the case of degenerative and inflammatory pathologies of the spine (with osteoarthritis, sciatica, radiculitis, lumbago), muscle pain resulting from overstrain, trauma, sprains, bruises, and joint pain with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis. Among other things, it is used to eliminate swelling and inflammation of the joints and soft tissues in rheumatic diseases (bursitis, tendovaginitis, damage to periarticular tissues).
Dosage form and composition
The patch has a rectangular shape with rounded edges, consists of a beige polyester base, on which an adhesive layer is applied uniformly with a pleasant, slightly pronounced odor (the color of the adhesive surface can be colorless to yellowish). The adhesive layer on top is covered with a protective transparent plastic film with two transverse cuts (one of them has a wavy line). An image is applied to the film, showing how to remove it from the adhesive surface.
There are several types of the described remedy "Voltaren". The patch may contain 15 or 30 milligrams of diclofenac sodium. In this case, the product, including 15 mg of the active component, has dimensions of 70 x 100 millimeters, and including 30 mg - 100 x 140 millimeters. Minor ingredients are methylpyrrolidone, esterified gum, citric acid, levomenthol, polyisobutylene, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, isoprenstyrene copolymer, butylhydroxytoluene, polyester fiber base, mercaptobenzimidazole, liquid paraffin, liquid paraffin.
How to apply a patch "Voltaren"? Instruction Price
The patch is applied to the skin in the form of applications. It should be glued to the painful area and not removed for twenty-four hours. Only one product is allowed per day. According to statistical data, the medical patch “Voltaren” is very popular among patients. The reviews of those who used it, as an advantage, primarily indicate the ease of application and removal. Also, patients are pleased that the patch is invisible under clothing (due to the fact that the manufacturers made it ultra-thin and flesh-colored). If the affected area is extensive, you need to use a product measuring 140 x 100 millimeters. For the treatment of soft tissue injuries, the patch should be used for no more than fourteen days, diseases of the joints and muscles - no more than twenty-one days (unless the doctor sets a different regimen). If after seven days of therapy the condition remains unchanged or worsens, it is necessary to suspend the use of the drug and consult a specialist for advice on further actions.
The patch is dispensed in pharmacies in several versions. So, products containing 15 milligrams of diclofenac are sold in packages of 2 or 5 pieces. In the first case, the price fluctuates on average from 125 to 145 rubles, in the second - from 270 to 315 rubles. A patch containing 30 milligrams of diclofenac is sold in packs of 2 each. The cost in different pharmacies varies from 205 to 220 rubles. All products are enclosed in packages of aluminum foil, which, in turn, are placed in cardboard packages. A prescription for the purchase of this drug is not required.
Side effects
The negative effects that can develop with the use of the Voltaren patch mainly come down to skin manifestations at the sites of application (as a rule, they are moderately expressed and fast-passing). So, in some patients there are papules, swelling, itching, vesicles, erythema, peeling, rash, eczema. In rare cases, bullous dermatitis appears . In individuals (extremely rarely), as a result of using the patch, pustular eruptions, photosensitization reactions, generalized skin rash, allergic reactions in the form of asthma attacks, bronchospasm, urticaria, angioedema occurred.
Contraindications
In the presence of hypersensitivity to diclofenac or other components that are in the composition, the drug should not be used. It is also not recommended to use the patch for those who are prone to acute rhinitis, asthma attacks, skin rashes, and are treated with acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs. The use of the product by children under the age of fifteen is contraindicated. Do not glue the patch on areas where the integrity of the skin is broken. With caution, it is used in the presence of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, chronic heart failure, severe impairment of the kidneys or liver, liver porphyria (during exacerbation).
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Due to the lack of data on whether the Voltaren patch can adversely affect the fetus during pregnancy, and whether it passes into breast milk, pregnant and lactating women should abandon its use.
Overdose and interaction with other medicines
Due to the fact that with the external use of this dosage form of the drug, the absorption of the active ingredients is extremely low, an overdose is practically eliminated.
With the simultaneous use of a patch and drugs that cause photosensitivity, the effect of the latter can be enhanced. Clinical interactions with other drugs are not described.
special instructions
The active ingredients present in the adhesive layer of the patch should not be allowed to enter the mucous membranes or the eyes. The product is allowed to be glued only on intact covers, its use on areas with open wounds is unacceptable. When using the Voltaren patch for too long, there is a risk of developing adverse systemic reactions. If other drugs containing diclofenac are used along with the described product, it is necessary to take into account the content of this active substance in the patch and not exceed its maximum allowable daily dose (it is 150 milligrams). Studies have shown that this dosage form of the drug “Voltaren” does not affect the speed of psychomotor reactions when working with mechanisms and driving a car. The shelf life of the patch, if stored in its original packaging and at a temperature of no more than 25 degrees Celsius, is two years.