Voltaren Gel FDA Approved for Osteoarthritis Pain
Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium 1% topical gel) has been approved by the U.S. FDA as the first topical prescription treatment for osteoarthritis pain. Novartis received the approval to market Voltaren Gel, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for use in treating pain associated with osteoarthritis in joints that can be managed with topical treatment, such as the knees and hands. Clinical trials demonstrated that Voltaren Gel delivers effective pain relief with a favorable safety profile. Its systemic absorption is 94 percent less than the comparable oral diclofenac treatment. With less systemic absorption, the risk of side effects is reduced.
Voltaren Gel was studied in more than 900 patients with knee or hand osteoarthritis. The approval was based on several studies, including the results of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy (i.e., effectiveness) studies and a 12-month safety study. After 6 weeks of treatment in an efficacy study of patients with hand osteoarthritis, results showed that pain levels were reduced by 46 percent. In a 12-week study of patients with knee osteoarthritis, Voltaren Gel showed a 51 percent reduction in pain. Important note -- Voltaren Gel should not be used in combination with oral NSAIDs or aspirin because of an increased risk for side effects. Read more about Voltaren Gel, including important safety information.
Related Resources:
- Hand Osteoarthritis Overview
- Knee Osteoarthritis Overview
- 10 Ways to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain
- Topical Creams for Osteoarthritis Pain Relief
- 10 Things You Need to Know About Voltaren Gel
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Photo by Kevin Russ (iStockphoto)
I use Voltaren Gel for shin splints. I experience extreme pain from shin splints anytime I run for a few days in a row. This problem has been going on for the last 12 years (when I was in Jr. High). If I push through the pain for a couple of weeks it will get so bad that I won’t be able to walk for a couple of days. Ever since my first year of track I haven’t been able to run competitively. About six months ago as I was walking out of the doctor’s office a sales rep came in with Voltaren. The doctor stopped me to gave me the sample tube. With that tube I was able to train for a 5k race and come in 3rd. In a week from now I will be running a marathon. The gel has changed my life because it has brought relief to my legs. I have international insurance that is kind of a pain to deal with so I just pay for the tubes out of pocket and they cost $32. During my training times they last about 3 weeks. I don’t take full dosages because I don’t have time to put it on four times a day. I usually end up putting it on 2 to 3 times a day and my off days sometimes I don’t put it on at all since walking doesn’t create pain. Yet even when not taking full dosages it does the trick.