Diclofenac (Topical)

Brand Names : Solaraze

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical diclofenac, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diclofenac. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you intend to become pregnant. Diclofenac should not be used late in pregnancy because there is a chance that it could cause birth defects. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before using this medicine.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether diclofenac passes into breast milk. However, diclofenac is not recommended for use during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of diclofenac on the skin in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of diclofenac on the skin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using diclofenac on the skin, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Medicines for inflammation and pain (non-narcotic), including aspirin - The risk of serious side effects may be increased

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of diclofenac. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding - Diclofenac may make these conditions worse

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease - Effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body