Diclofenac Transdermal Patch

Uses

Transdermal diclofenac is used to treat short-term pain due to minor strains, sprains, and bruises in adults and children 6 years of age and older. 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.

Side Effects Of Diclofenac Transdermal Patch

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 the application site
• changes in taste
• headache
• sleepiness
• tingling skin

Some side effects  of diclofenac transdermal 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 swallowing
• swelling of the face or throat, arms, or hands
• unexplained weight gain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet, or legs
• 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.

Warnings & Precautions

Before using diclofenac transdermal patches:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diclofenac (Cambia, Pennsaid, Solaraze, Voltaren, Zipsor, Zorvolex, 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 transdermal 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, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic); perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers such as candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (in Exforge HCT); certain antibiotics; beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics (‘water pills’); lithium (Lithobid); medications for seizures; and methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, 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 WARNING section, heart failure; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using diclofenac transdermal patches, call your doctor.
• 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.

Diclofenac Transdermal Patch Dosage

• 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 transdermal 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 skincare 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 diclofenac transdermal 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.

Other

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription of diclofenac transdermal.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Source

All information on diclofenac transdermal has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.