Diclofenac sodium, the active ingredient in voltaren , is one of a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation.  

The doctor will tell you how many voltaren to take and when to take them. Always follow his/her instructions carefully. 

 If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep taking your treatment for as long as you have been told, unless you have any problems. In that case, check with your doctor. 

Taking voltaren with Food and drink 

Take voltaren  with or after food. 

For voltaren suppository: 

Adults:  One 100mg suppository may be given as a once daily treatment usually at night. 

Children: Children from age of 1 year upwards should be given 0.5-2 mg/kg weight daily in 2-3 divided doses depending on the severity of the condition. For the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis the daily dosage may be raised to a maximum of 3 mg/kg body weight given in divided doses. 

Elderly :Your doctor may advise you to take a dose that is lower than the usual adult dose if you are elderly. Your doctor may also want to check closely that the voltaren are not affecting your stomach. 

The doctor may also prescribe another drug to protect the stomach to be taken at the same time, particularly if you have had stomach problems before, or if you are elderly, or taking certain other drugs as well. 

• You think you may be allergic to diclofenac sodium, aspirin, ibuprofen or any other NSAID, or to any of the other ingredients of voltaren . (These are listed at the end of the leaflet.) Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction include swelling of the face and mouth (angioedema), breathing problems, runny nose, skin rash or any other allergic type reaction 

• You have now, or have ever had, a stomach (gastric) or duodenal (peptic) ulcer, or bleeding in the digestive tract (this can include blood in vomit, bleeding when emptying bowels, fresh blood in feces or black, tarry feces) 

• You have had stomach or bowel problems after you have taken other NSAIDs 

• You have severe heart, kidney or liver failure 

• You are more than six months pregnant (see Pregnancy and Lactation).

• If you suffer from any stomach or bowel disorders including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

• If you have kidney or liver problems, or are you elderly 

• If you have a condition called porphyria 

• If you suffer from any blood or bleeding disorder, your doctor may ask you to go for regular check-ups while you are taking these tablets. 

• If you have ever had asthma 

• If you are breast-feeding 

• If you have heart problems, or have you had a stroke, or do you think you might be at risk of these conditions (for example, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker) 

• If you have Lupus (SLE) or any similar condition 

Some medicines can interfere with your treatment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

• Medicines to treat diabetes  

• Anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets like warfarin)  

• Diuretics (water tablets). 

• Lithium (used to treat some mental problems). 

• Methotrexate (for some inflammatory diseases and some cancers). 

• Ciclosporin or tacrolimus (used to treat some inflammatory diseases and after transplants). 

• Quinolone antibiotics (for infections). 

• Any other NSAID for example aspirin or ibuprofen or COX-2 (cyclo-oxgenase-2) inhibitor.  

• Mifepristone (a medicine used to terminate pregnancy) 

• Cardiac glycosides (for example digoxin), used to treat heart problems. 

• Medicines known as SSRIs used to treat depression 

• Oral steroids (an anti-inflammatory drug) 

• Medicines used to treat heart conditions or high blood pressure, for example beta- blockers or ACE inhibitors. 

• Sulfinpyrazone (a medicine used to treat gout) or voriconazole (a medicine used to treat fungal infections). 

• Phenytoin (a medicine used to treat seizures) 

• Colestipol/cholestryramine (used to lower cholesterol)

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking.  

This means medicines you have bought yourself as well as medicines on prescription from your doctor. 

Diclofenac sodium 25mg