Product Details

Things to consider before you start to take Voltarol Injections

Some people MUST NOT have this injection. Talk to your doctor if: · you think you may be allergic to diclofenac sodium, sodium metabisulphite, aspirin, ibuprofen or any other NSAID, or to any of the other ingredients of Voltarol Injections. (These are listed at the end of the leaflet.) Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction include swelling of the face and mouth (angioedema), breathing problems, chest pain, runny nose, skin rash or any other allergic type reaction · you have now, or have ever had, a stomach (gastric) or duodenal (peptic) ulcer, or bleeding in the digestive tract (this can include blood in vomit, bleeding when emptying bowels, fresh blood in faeces or black, tarry faeces) · you have had stomach or bowel problems after you have taken other NSAIDs · you have heart, kidney or liver failure · if you have established heart disease and/or cerebrovascular disease e.g. if you have had a heart attack, stroke, mini-stroke (TIA) or blockages to blood vessels to the heart or brain or an operation to clear bypass blockages · if you have or have had problems with your blood circulation (peripheral arterial disease) · you are more than six months pregnant You should also ask yourself these questions before having a Voltarol Injection or Infusion: · Do you suffer from any bowel disorders including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease? · Do you have kidney or liver problems, or are you elderly? · Do you suffer from any blood or bleeding disorder? · Do you have a condition called porphyria? · Have you ever had asthma? · Are you breastfeeding? · Do you have angina, blood clots, high blood pressure, abnormally high levels of fat in your blood (raised cholesterol or raised triglycerides)? · Do you have heart problems, or have you had a stroke, or do you think you might be at risk of these conditions (for example, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker)? · Do you have diabetes? · Do you smoke? · Do you have Lupus (SLE) or any similar condition? · Could you be suffering from dehydration? · Have you suffered any heavy loss of blood recently? If the answer to any of these questions is YES, discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist because Voltarol Injections might not be the right medicine for you. Are you taking other medicines? Some medicines can interfere with your treatment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following: · Medicines to treat diabetes · Anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets like warfarin) · Diuretics (water tablets) · Lithium (used to treat some mental problems) · Methotrexate (for some inflammatory diseases and some cancers) · Ciclosporin and tacrolimus (used to treat some inflammatory diseases and after transplants) · Trimethoprim (a medicine used to prevent or treat urinary tract infections) · Quinolone antibiotics (for infections) · Any other NSAID or COX-2 (cyclo-oxgenase-2) inhibitor, for example aspirin or ibuprofen · Mifepristone (a medicine used to terminate pregnancy) · Cardiac glycosides (for example digoxin), used to treat heart problems · Medicines known as SSRIs used to treat depression · Oral steroids (an anti-inflammatory drug) · Medicines used to treat heart conditions or high blood pressure, for example beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors. · Voriconazole (a medicine used to treat fungal infections). · Phenytoin (a medicine used to treat seizures) · Colestipol/cholestyramine (used to lower cholesterol) Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking. This means medicines you have bought yourself as well as medicines on prescription from your doctor. Pregnancy · Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant? Although not common, abnormalities have been reported in babies whose mothers have taken NSAIDs during pregnancy. You should not have a Voltarol Injection during the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may affect the baby’s circulation. · Are you trying for a baby? Having Voltarol Injections may make it more difficult to conceive. You should talk to your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you have problems getting pregnant. Will there be any problems with driving or using machinery? Very occasionally people have reported that Voltarol Injections have made them feel dizzy, tired or sleepy. Problems with eyesight have also been reported. If you are affected in this way, you should not drive or operate machinery. Other special warnings · You should take the lowest dose of Voltarol for the shortest possible time, particularly if you are underweight or elderly. · There is a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke when you are taking any medicine like Voltarol. The risk is higher if you are taking high doses for a long time. Always follow the doctor’s instructions on how much to take and how long to take it for. · If at any time while taking Voltarol you experience any signs or symptoms of problems with your heart or blood vessels such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or slurring of speech, contact your doctor immediately. · Whilst you are taking these medicines your doctor may want to give you a check-up from time to time. · If you have a history of stomach problems when you are taking NSAIDs, particularly if you are elderly, you must tell your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual symptoms. · Because it is an anti-inflammatory medicine, Voltarol may reduce the symptoms of infection, for example, headache and high temperature. If you feel unwell and need to see a doctor, remember to tell him or her that you are taking Voltarol. · Voltarol Injections should not be used in children. Tell your doctor if you recently had or you are going to have a surgery of the stomach or intestinal tract before taking Voltarol Injections, as Voltarol Injections can sometimes worsen wound healing in your gut after surgery. Voltarol Injections contain propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol and sodium metabisulphite This medicine contains 600mg propylene glycol per 3ml ampoule which is equivalent to 200mg/ml. This medicine contains 120mg benzyl alcohol per 3ml ampoule which is equivalent to 40mg/ml. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have liver or kidney disease. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build up in your body and may cause side effects (called ‘metabolic acidosis’). Voltarol Injections contain the preservative, sodium metabisulphite. This can sometimes cause allergic reactions and breathing difficulties. Information about sodium content This medicine contains less than 1mmol sodium (23mg) per 3ml ampoule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.