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In this Article

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

What happens if I miss a dose (Voltaren XR)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Voltaren XR)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, and fainting.

What should I avoid while taking diclofenac (Voltaren XR)?

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to diclofenac (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking diclofenac. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by diclofenac.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Diclofenac may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

What other drugs will affect diclofenac (Voltaren XR)?

Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with diclofenac may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix).
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with diclofenac. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about diclofenac.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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