Voltaren XR (Diclofenac Sodium Extended-Release Tablets) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Voltaren XR

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Osteoarthritis facts

Osteoarthritis is a joint inflammation that results from cartilage degeneration.
Osteoarthritis can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use.
There is no blood test for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 25 million people in the United Stat...

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Voltaren XR Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diclofenac (Voltaren XR)?

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to diclofenac, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take diclofenac:

a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
liver or kidney disease,
asthma;
polyps in your nose;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
if you smoke.

FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking diclofenac during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Do not take diclofenac during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.

Diclofenac can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take diclofenac (Voltaren XR)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you switch brands of diclofenac, your dose needs may change. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much medicine to take.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Dissolve the diclofenac powder (Cambia) with 1 to 2 ounces of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. Diclofenac powder works best if you take it on an empty stomach.

Call your doctor if your headache does not completely go away after taking Cambia. Do not take a second dose of diclofenac powder without your doctor's advice.

Do not crush, chew, or break an enteric-coated pill. Swallow the pill whole. The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.

If you take diclofenac for a long period of time, your liver function may need to be checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store diclofenac at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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