home > drugs a-z list > flector patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) drug center > flector patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) drug - consumer missed dose

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anti-platelet drugs (e.g., clopidogrel), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin), cidofovir, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), cyclosporine, desmopressin, digoxin, high blood pressure medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, beta blockers such as atenolol), lithium, methotrexate, pemetrexed, probenecid, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline), tenofovir, "water pills" (diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, triamterene).

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully for other pain/fever drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen). These drugs are similar to this medication, so taking one of these drugs while also taking this medication may increase your risk of side effects. However, if your doctor has prescribed low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue to take the aspirin. Daily use of NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) may decrease aspirin's ability to prevent heart attack/stroke. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and to discuss other possible treatments (e.g., acetaminophen) for your pain/fever.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: This medication may be harmful if swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Keep all doctor appointments and lab visits so your therapy can be monitored closely.

MISSED DOSE: If you are prescribed this drug on a regular schedule (not just "as needed") and you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store patches in the envelope at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Always reseal envelope after opening. The patches expire 3 months after the envelope is first opened. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised May 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 First DataBank, Inc.