Brand Names: Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Voltaren-XR, Zipsor

Generic Name: diclofenac (Pronunciation: dye KLOE fen ak)

• What is diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• What are the possible side effects of diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• What is the most important information I should know about diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• How should I take diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Voltaren)?
• What happens if I overdose (Voltaren)?
• What should I avoid while taking diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• What other drugs will affect diclofenac (Voltaren)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is diclofenac (Voltaren)?

Diclofenac is a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID). This medicine works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain inflammation.

Diclofenac is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

Diclofenac powder (Cambia) is used to treat a migraine headache attack. Do not use this medication to treat a cluster headache.

Cambia will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Diclofenac may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cataflam 50 mg

round, beige, imprinted with CATAFLAM, 50

Diclofenac 100 mg ER-TEV

round, pink, imprinted with 93, 1041

Diclofenac 50 mg-GG

round, brown, imprinted with GG 759

Diclofenac 75 mg-GG

round, peach, imprinted with GG 739

Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg-APO

round, brown, imprinted with APO, DP 50

Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M D5

Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg-TEV

round, orange, imprinted with 93 948

Diclofenac Sodium 100 mg ER-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with M 355

Diclofenac Sodium 100 mg-WAT

round, pink, imprinted with DX41

Diclofenac Sodium 25 mg-GG

round, yellow, imprinted with GG 737

Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg-ROX

round, white, imprinted with 54 592

Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 338

Diclofenac Sodium 75 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 339

Diclofenac XR 100 mg-GG

round, brown, imprinted with GG 904

Voltaren 75 mg

triangular, peach, imprinted with Voltaren 75

Voltaren XR 100 mg

round, pink, imprinted with Voltaren XR, 100

What are the possible side effects of diclofenac (Voltaren)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using diclofenac and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• swelling or rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions); or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation bloating, gas;
• dizziness, headache, nervousness;
• skin itching or rash;
• blurred vision; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Voltaren (diclofenac sodium) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about diclofenac (Voltaren)?

This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use diclofenac just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking diclofenac, especially in older adults.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or other pain medicine. Medicines similar to diclofenac are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.