Wellness

[Tinkrbl44]

Just got a prescription for the topical gel, and am wondering who has experience using it.   

Any feedback, positive or negative, is appreciated!  

TIA 

[jazzy22]

yes    hubby uses it for his arthritis works great uses it alot on his knees it is available over the counter in drug stores walmart ect.. exact same thing  

[CamilleP]

@Tinkrbl44Since you have a prescription, I am guessing you are speaking about the oral pain pill form of the drug, not the topical gel sold OTC for pain relief. I have used both. I took the pills for about two weeks, but my doctor ordered a blood test before writing me a new Rx, and it was a good thing he did, because my liver enzymes were significantly elevated after only a couple of weeks of use. I was disappointed, because it really worked well to relieve my arthritis pain, but wasn't an opiod, just a powerful NSAID. With, sadly, a bad side effect of liver damage. So I switched to the topical gel, which works, but nowhere near as completely effective nor with as much duration as the pill. One thing to remember about the topical is that is is not a good muscle rub, it works on joint pain instead. I have a tendency to get muscle spasms in my back, and really hoped Voltaren would work on them, but no luck, I might as well have used Crisco, lol!

ETA: I see you've clarified your post to indicate you are using the gel, I got my brand name Voltaren in a 3 pack from my local Costco, and it's the same strength as the prescription gel was. Just one problem, I don't use it often enough to use up 3 tubes before they expire, and they do go bad and no longer work, so from now on I'll buy a single tube of generic gel from a local grocery store or something, at least I won't be wasting it, even if I end up paying as much for one tube as Costco would charge me for three.

[eddyandme]

I had it prescribed to be because I had a slipped disk.  I'm not one to take much meds but Voltaren worked great - no side affects.

[SeaMaiden]

Pet owners beware: Some topical products can be poisonous

Oct. 27, 2021 at 6:00 am

By

Joe Graedonand Teresa Graedon

Syndicated columnists

Q: I read your article about a cat sickened by Voltaren gel. The owner was using this topical NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to treat her sore thumbs and wrists.

Cats groom themselves by licking their fur. I suspect that the major factor in its kidney damage was this oral ingestion. Are there other products that cat owners should be careful about?

A: Thank you for reminding us how vulnerable animals can be to some human medications. Another compound of concern is the topical hair-growth product called minoxidil (Rogaine).

A report in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (September-October 2021) described 87 cases of poisoning in cats and dogs. Cats licked the owners’ skin or pillowcase. Dogs more often found a container rummaging through the trash. This product can make both dogs and cats quite ill, and 13% of the cats died.

People who allow their pets in bed must be especially careful to avoid exposing their pets to topical medications. The residue left on a pillow from hair products can be toxic.

[grandma2pkmh]

@Tinkrbl44   I use the OTC gel and it really helps the pain in my hands due to RA.  

[Shelbelle]

Very strong NSAID, but it comes with side effects, be very careful when using it, even the topical gel is very prone to side effectsl ike raising BP.  I took Meloxicam for 6 weeks and stopped due to that. 

[pookie44907]

I can't take Voltaren as it gives me a bad reaction...like a panic attack.  Shaking, sweating, shortness of breath, etc.  I hope it works well for you, but don't be afraid to call your MD if you have side effects.

[RedTop]

My husband has used it every day for 5+ years for pain that comes from multiple health issues.  He has the prescription formula for topical use.

[Kachina624]

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@Shelbelle wrote:

Very strong NSAID, but it comes with side effects, be very careful when using it, even the topical gel is very prone to side effectsl ike raising BP.  I took Meloxicam for 6 weeks and stopped due to that. 

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@Shelbelle    My doctor prescribes topical Voltaren for me although I'm not supposed to use NSAIDs.  She said its not filtered through the kidneys so I can use as needed.  It has not affected my bp.  I used to get a stronger version at a pharmacy in Canada.  Even Wal-Mart there carried it.  Then they started requiring a prescription.  The advantage of my prescription is that I get 4 tubes for $30., while they'd cost $40., at the drugstore.

@Tinkrbl44    Voltaren gives good relief for aching joints or my aching back.  However the relief is very temporary and just lasts less than 2 hours for me.  It just allows me to get to sleep or perform some chore before the ache returns.  It has a slight odor which quickly dissipates.  I never allow my dogs to lick anyplace where I've applied Voltaren.  I only use it when I'm aching excessively, not routinely or daily.