Diclofenac Transdermal

Conditions Treated

Transdermal diclofenac is used to treat short-term pain due to minor strains, sprains, and bruises. Diclofenac is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Transdermal diclofenac may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dryness, redness, itching, swelling, irritation, or numbness at application site
• changes in taste
• headache
• sleepiness
• tingling skin

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face or throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• unexplained weight gain
• wheezing
• worsening of asthma
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• dark-colored urine
• rash
• blisters on skin
• fever
• pale skin
• fast heartbeat

Diclofenac patches may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Transdermal diclofenac comes as a patch to apply to the skin. Diclofenac patches are usually applied two times a day, once every 12 hours. Apply diclofenac patches at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not apply more or fewer patches or apply patches more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not apply diclofenac patches to skin that is broken, damaged, cut, infected, or covered by a rash. Do not let the patches come in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. If the patch does touch your eye, wash the eye out immediately with water or saline. Call a doctor if there is eye irritation that lasts for more than one hour. Do not wear a patch while bathing or showering. Plan to bathe or shower after you remove a patch and before you apply the next patch. To apply diclofenac patches, follow these steps:

Wash the skin area where you will apply the patch with soap and water. Do not use any moisturizing soaps, lotions, astringents, or other skin care products on the chosen skin area.

Completely dry the skin area where you will be applying the patch.

Cut open the envelope containing the patches, cutting on the dotted line and making sure not to cut the zipper seal just below it.

Pull apart the zipper seal on the envelope and remove one patch. Reseal the envelope by squeezing the zipper seal together. Make sure the envelope is closed tightly to keep the patches inside from drying out.

Fold over one corner of the patch and gently rub the folded corner between your finger and thumb to separate the patch from the clear liner that is attached to the sticky side. Peel off the entire liner.

Firmly press the patch into place on the chosen skin area. Press down around all four edges to secure the patch.

The patch may begin to peel off while you are wearing it. If this happens, tape down the edges of the patch with first aid tape.

When you remove a patch, fold it in half so that it sticks to itself and throw it away in a garbage can that is out of the reach of children and pets.

Wash your hands when you are finished applying or handling the patch.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using diclofenac patches, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam, Pennsaid, Voltaren, Solaraze, Zipsor, in Arthrotec), aspirin, or other NSAIDs; any other medications; or any of the other ingredients in diclofenac patches. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have asthma, growths in your nose, or an ongoing runny nose and if you have had an asthma attack, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or an allergic reaction after taking aspirin, an aspirin-containing product, or any other NSAID medication. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use diclofenac patches. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol, other products);angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec, in Lexxel and Vaseretic), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, in Prinzide and Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic); perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic and Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); certain antibiotics; cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for seizures; and methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have severe diarrhea or vomiting or think you may be dehydrated, if you drink or have a history of drinking large amounts of alcohol, and if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section,; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs;or kidney or liver disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using diclofenac patches. you should know that during treatment with diclofenac patches it may be harder to know if you have an infection or illness because this medication may also lower or prevent fever. Call your doctor if you are not feeling well or have other signs of an infection or illness.