Diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system violate the usual rhythm of human life and provide a lot of inconvenience. Patients suffering from such problems are always interested in removing pain syndrome by any means. In our article, we will talk about a popular drug that has the desired effects - the Voltaren gel. Instructions for use of this tool will be described in detail below.
Brief information
On the pharmacological market, the drug is presented as an effective non-steroidal drug. According to the instructions for use, the Voltaren gel is intended for topical use as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, which allows to achieve a sustainable result. The creamy translucent substance has a whitish color with a barely perceptible characteristic odor. Due to the uniform consistency in appearance, it resembles a cream or ointment.
Dosage Forms
One of the options is a medicine with the additional name "emulgel", which contains one percent of the active substance. There is a 2 percent Voltaren gel, the instructions for use of which are slightly different from the first. "Voltaren Forte" is another version of this tool with a concentration of the active substance diclofenac diethylamine 2.32%.
The product is sold in aluminum tubes, with different amounts of gel (10, 50, 100 grams). The container has a triangular lid, which is convenient for people with limited movements of the joints on the hands.
The drug marked "Forte" is placed in a laminated plastic tube.
There are other types of medications: spray, injection, patch, tablets, suppositories. A suitable variant of the drug is selected taking into account the clinical picture, which only a doctor can see. It happens that due to the presence of any disease, you can not use any form of the described drug. In this case, you can pick up an analogue of the Voltaren gel. Instructions for the use of most of these tools show that they have good effects and are easy to use. Also, from the instructions, you should immediately learn about the disadvantages of the drug in question, because of which it may not be suitable for you.
Structure
The substance contains an active substance - diethylamine diclofenac sodium, which is equally proportional to 10 mg of diclofenac sodium.
In Voltaren Fort, the main component contains the maximum possible amount.
To achieve the best result, excipients have been added to the composition of the product, which together easily penetrate the skin and gently affect it. These include: liquid paraffin, carbomers, diethylamine, oleyl alcohol, propylene glycol, isopropanol, butylhydroxytoluene, cocoylaprilocaprate, purified water, cetostearomacrogol, eucalyptus flavoring.
The instructions for use of the Voltaren gel emphasize that it can be used only if individual intolerance to any of the listed components is not observed. Before starting treatment, you need to test for an allergic reaction.
Mechanism of action
The pharmacological action of the Voltaren gel in the instructions is described as follows:
The main dynamics of the drug is associated with its negative effect on metabolic processes leading to the formation of arachidonic acid. It is she who exacerbates the course of inflammation and increased pain in the joints.
In the general bloodstream, the absorption of the drug is poor, its absorption reaches 6 percent. Typically, the amount of active substance penetrating the blood corresponds to the surface of the skin on which the medicine was applied and the dosage used. It may also depend on the method of manipulation and the degree of hydration of the skin. Once in the circulatory system, diclofenac actively interacts with plasma proteins. Its connection with albumin reaches almost 100%. With external use, the concentration of the main component in the synovial fluid exceeds its plasma content. It was noted that its metabolites are relatively passive. Outwardly, the gel is excreted with bile along with waste products and with urine.
Some patients are more likely to use the Voltaren 12 hours gel. The instructions for use of the product with an additional note about the time explains that it has a longer therapeutic effect.
If the drug did not have the desired effect during the treatment course, a certain dosage should not be increased. Perhaps the drug did not fit, so stronger medications are needed to eliminate the painful symptoms. You need to see a doctor for a new regimen that includes other drugs.
The use of an external agent for various diseases
The range of action of this drug is not so wide, but in its direction, it, as practice shows, gives many positive results. As a rule, for diseases of the joints, such manifestations as pinching of the nerve and the appearance of swelling on the surrounding tissues are characteristic. Under such circumstances, the patient needs a rescue tool, and such is the substance diclofenac sodium, characterized by an intensive recovery regimen.
Antipyretic and analgesic effect is achieved due to correctly selected doses of all the components that make up the Voltaren gel. Instructions for use show which negative conditions the remedy can save the patient.
It copes with a pronounced inflammatory process, accompanied by pain that occurs in joints, muscle tissues. With problems with ligaments that are traumatic or rheumatic in nature, the drug successfully relieves pain and swelling. After using the medicine, the patient again feels freedom in movement, his joints become more mobile. To some extent, the drug has a local anesthetic effect, since it is developed on a water-alcohol basis.
According to the instructions for use and reviews, Voltaren gel can be used by athletes when they receive minor injuries. In addition, in complex therapy, it is effective in the treatment of various diseases of muscles and joints. This tool is widely used to eliminate the effects of bruises, sprains, myalgias. When exposed to the connective tissues of joints and ligaments, regeneration occurs in their cells, which helps to accelerate the recovery process.
I would like to immediately emphasize that the dosage form of the drug, intended for local use, has worked well in combination with drugs that can relieve the very cause of the disease. An integrated approach helps to forget the manifestations of unwanted symptoms for a long time. The gel, as an independent medicine, works well, but this effect is often temporary.
Confidence in this drug is also increasing because its positive properties are known not only from the instructions for use. Gel "Voltaren" in the reviews of doctors presented as a very convenient and effective tool, in terms of quality, corresponding to the price.
Indications
Experts recommend this medicine for the following diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoarthrosis.
- Back pain arising from pathologies of the spine and degenerative changes (sciatica, sciatica, lumbago).
- Inflammatory processes and swelling, observed in soft tissues and joints, resulting from rheumatic ailments or their injury.
- Osteoarthritis of the joints of the spine.
- Muscle pain, sprains, bruises.
So that the patient has the opportunity to receive relief at the first stage of the disease, funds for external use in the form of ointments are produced. Gel "Voltaren", the instructions for the use of which we are considering, is a local medicine. Avoid contact with eyes, open wounds and mucous membranes.
Contraindications and side effects
An external drug cannot be used to treat children under 12 years of age. It is also contraindicated during lactation, since an insignificant part of diclofenac passes into breast milk.
As for its use during pregnancy, in the III trimester, the drug is strictly prohibited. This is due to its ability to lower the tone of the uterus and penetrate the placenta. In the I and II trimester, treatment should be carried out with great care, always under the supervision of a gynecologist.
In the instructions for the use of the Voltaren gel, the main contraindications are noted:
- Skin lesions in the area in need of removal of inflammation.
- Hypersensitivity of the patient to the components of the drug.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Rashes on the epidermis.
- Acute rhinitis.
The above problems are not reasons for the prohibition of diclofenac sodium, as such. Instead of rubbing, you can use rectal suppositories, tablets, spray or patch. Before doing this, you must consult your doctor.
Side effects:
- The most common consequences are manifestations such as dermatitis, peeling, swelling, vesicles, itching, erythema, rash, papules.
- Occasionally, the development of a bullous form of dermatitis is observed.
- Very rarely there are pustular rashes, asthma attacks, angioedema.
Instruction manual
Although the absorption of this drug is negligible and with local use of negative manifestations in case of overdose was not observed, it is better not to risk with changes in the recommended dosages.
Instructions for use of the Voltaren gel 1%:
The recommended norm is 2-4 grams. It should be applied only to problem areas with light rubbing movements. In order not to make a mistake in the dosage, the approximate dimensions can be a cherry fruit (minimum) or currant berry.
The medicine should be used regularly for two weeks. The permissible number of treatment procedures should be no more than 4 times.
With the use of an occlusive dressing, the absorption of the agent will triple.
Instructions for use of the Voltaren gel 2% gel:
It is enough to apply this tool to the sore spot 2 times a day, while the concentration of diclofenac in the systemic circulation will be proportional to its concentration when applying a one percent diclofenac gel in the recommended norm. Otherwise, the method of use, duration of treatment and dosage are identical to the above directions.
After carrying out manipulations with the medicine, be sure to wash your hands with soap.
Injection
The injection agent is available in glass ampoules in the form of a clear liquid. One package is placed in a cardboard box, in which there are 5 units with a solution. Ampoules with contents (3 ml) are packaged in cells.
What is the difference between a solution and an external agent? As the instructions for use show, injections from the Voltaren gel are more intense and are prescribed for severe inflammation. With their help, they reduce acute pain in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system of a different nature. In addition to the main active substance sodium diclofenac, the solution contains the following additional components: benzyl alcohol, water for injection, sodium metabisulfate, mannitol (E21), propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide.
After injection of diclofenac, it is rapidly absorbed into the general bloodstream, which carries it to all body tissues. This method allows you to instantly achieve a therapeutic dose of the active substance. It is freely distributed over the structures of the brain, which allows the use of injections for migraines. Metabolic processes of diclofenac sodium occur in the liver, where decay products are formed, excreted from the body by the kidneys.
Intramuscular injections are prescribed for acute inflammation with pain, which include:
- Infectious arthritis.
- Cartilage destruction.
- Renal and hepatic colic (in complex therapy).
- Rheumatoid arthritis with antibodies that destroy connective tissue.
- Migraine with characteristic paroxysmal pain.
- Gout.
The daily rate of the solution is one ampoule, intended for single administration. In severe conditions, the doctor may prescribe a two-time administration of the drug. In some cases, an additional acceptance of the drug in the form of tablets and suppositories is prescribed. In any case, the daily rate should be summarized and not exceed 150 mg.
In the treatment of migraine, doctors practice a combination of injections with the introduction of rectal suppositories.
Analogs
There are various reasons why patients may seek an alternative to sodium diclofenac. In some, the active substance causes allergic reactions, while others want to buy a cheaper drug. It happens that at the right time there is no original drug in the pharmacy. Therefore, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the analogues of the Voltaren gel and instructions for the use of these funds.
Ointments developed on the basis of the active substance included in the agent considered in the article include:
- Diclofenac.
- Diclosan.
- "Diclovit."
The funds are issued by domestic companies, each of them has a different percentage of diclofenac. Pharmacists distinguish Diclovit as a cheap and affordable drug that successfully copes with its functions. It is easy to apply, well absorbed, without leaving a transparent film on the skin. There are other structural analogues:
- Ortofen.
- "Rapten" (gel).
- "Olfen."
- "Naklofen."
- Diklak.
Here is another list of similar drugs in pharmacodynamics, but with other active components. The following drugs are considered the most popular of them:
- Nise.
- Nimid.
- Ketonal (cream).
- Fastum gel. "
- Ketorol.
- “Long” (gel).
Some of these agents, like Voltaren, have various dosage forms and have warming and regenerating effects.
Reviews
After a comparative analysis between the instructions and the reviews, the Voltaren gel can be argued that the drug really meets the manufacturer's promises. It copes well with pain in the back and limbs after physical exertion, relieves redness and swelling. The gel is very convenient to use and does not stain clothes and underwear. It is economical, it has a delicate texture, which is why it lasts for a long time. The advantages of Voltaren include: a long storage period (3 years), convenient packaging, good quality, quick action. With severe muscle damage, people are advised to take an external remedy along with pills. The disadvantages include the price of the medicine and the fact that after it you have to wash your hands for a long time. In case of contact with eyes, the product causes undesirable manifestations in the form of redness and itching.
Conclusion
Perhaps this is all that can be said about this non-steroidal drug (instructions for using the Voltaren gel, reviews and analogues you had the opportunity to consider in the article). Finally, we highlight some of the main advantages of this tool:
- Helps in the fight against many problems associated with diseases of the joints and tendons.
- Suitable for the complex treatment of various ailments.
- It has a small number of side effects.
- There are different forms of this medicine with an identical effect, containing diclofenac.