Source: Health Products Regulatory Authority (ZA) Revision Year: 2022 Publisher: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare South Africa (Pty) Limited, 39 Hawkins avenue, Epping Industria 1, Cape Town, 7460
Hypersensitivity to diclofenac, acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Hypersensitivity to any other ingredient of the gel.
Patients with or without chronic asthma in whom attacks of asthma, urticaria or acute rhinitis are precipitated by aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
Concomitant use of other products containing diclofenac.
Concomitant use of oral NSAIDs.
Voltaren Emulgel should not be used by patients with porphyria.
During the last trimester of pregnancy.
Heart failure.
History of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation (PUBs) related to previous NSAIDs.
Active or history of recurrent ulcer/haemorrhage/perforations.
The possibility of systemic adverse events from application of Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour cannot be excluded if the preparation is used on large areas of skin and over a prolonged period (see the professional information on systemic forms of diclofenac).
Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour should be applied only to intact, non-diseased skin and not to skin wounds or open injuries. It should not be used with occlusion. It should not be allowed to come into contact with the eyes or mucous membranes and should never be taken by mouth.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Patients should be instructed to be cautious when smoking or near naked flames due to risk of severe burns.
Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour contains paraffin which is potentially flammable when it builds up on fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc.). Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build up but not totally remove it.
Patients with a history of, or active, peptic ulceration. Some possibility of gastro-intestinal bleeding in those with a significant history of this condition has been reported in isolated cases.
Like other medicines that inhibit prostaglandin synthetase activity, diclofenac and other NSAIDs can precipitate bronchospasm if administered to patients suffering from or with a previous history of, bronchial asthma.
Discontinue the treatment if a skin rash develops after applying the product.
Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour contains propylene glycol, which may cause localised skin irritation in some people. It also contains butylhydroxytoluene which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.
Caution is required in patients with a history of hypertension and/or heart failure as fluid retention and oedema have been reported in association with Voltaren therapy. In view of Voltaren's inherent potential to cause fluid retention, heart failure may be precipitated in some compromised patients.
The elderly have an increased frequency of adverse reactions to NSAIDs, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation (PUBss) which may be fatal.
The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation (PUBs) is higher with increasing doses of Voltaren in patients with a history of ulcers, and in the elderly.
When gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration occurs in patients receiving Voltaren, treatment with Voltaren should be stopped. Voltaren should be given with caution to patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease, hiatus hernia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, angiodysplasia) as the condition may be exacerbated.
Serous skin reactions, some of them fatal, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported with the oral administration of Voltaren. Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour gel should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity.
Systemic absorption of diclofenac from topical application is very low and no medicine interactions during treatment with Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour have been reported, but the following have been observed with oral forms of diclofenac or other NSAIDs.
Lithium and digoxin: Diclofenac may increase plasma concentrations of lithium and digoxin.
Anticoagulants: Although clinical investigations do not appear to indicate that Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour has an influence on the effect of anticoagulants, there are isolated reports of an increased risk of haemorrhage with the combined use of diclofenac and anticoagulant therapy. Therefore, to be certain that no change in anticoagulant dosage is required, close monitoring of such patients is required. As with other non- steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, diclofenac in a high dose can reversibly inhibit platelet aggregation.
Antidiabetic medicines: Clinical studies have shown that Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour can be given together with oral antidiabetic medicines without influencing their clinical effect. However there have been isolated reports of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic effects which have required adjustment to the dosage of hypoglycaemic medicines.
Ciclosporin: Cases of nephrotoxicity have been reported in patients receiving concomitant cyclosporin and NSAIDs, including diclofenac. This might be mediated through combined renal antiprostaglandin effects of both the NSAID and cyclosporin.
Methotrexate: Cases of serious toxicity have been reported when methotrexate and NSAIDs are given within 24 hours of each other. This interaction is mediated through accumulation of methotrexate resulting from impairment of renal excretion in the presence of the NSAID.
Quinolone antimicrobials: Convulsions may occur due to an interaction between quinolones and NSAIDs. This may occur in patients with or without a previous history of epilepsy or convulsions. Therefore, caution should be exercised when considering the use of a quinolone in patients who are already receiving an NSAID.
Other NSAIDs and steroids: Co-administration of Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour with other systemic NSAIDs and steroids may increase the frequency of unwanted effects. Concomitant therapy with aspirin lowers the plasma levels of each, although no clinical significance is known.
Diuretics: Various NSAIDs are liable to inhibit the activity of diuretics. Concomitant treatment with potassium-sparing diuretics may be associated with increased serum potassium levels, hence serum potassium should be monitored.
Mifepristone: NSAIDs should not be used for 8-12 days after mifepristone administration as NSAIDs can reduce the effects of mifepristone.
Anti-hypertensives: Concomitant use of NSAIDs with antihypertensive medicines (i.e. beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics) may cause a decrease in their antihypertensive effect via inhibition of vasodilatory prostaglandin synthesis.
When given concomitantly with lithium, non-steroidal anti-rheumatic medicines raise the concentration of lithium in the blood.
The bioavailability of Voltaren is reduced by acetylsalicylic acid and that of acetylsalicylic acid by Voltaren, when the two medicines are administered together.
The use of two or more NSAIDs concomitantly could result in an increase in side effects.
Concomitant administration of corticosteroids with Voltaren increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding (PUBs).
Voltaren may enhance the effects of anti-coagulants such as warfarin when co-administered with Voltaren.
Anti-platelet agents and selective serontonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Treatment with Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour is unlikely to have an adverse effect on fertility because the systemic exposure to diclofenac after application of Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour is low.
The systemic concentration of diclofenac is lower after topical administration, compared to oral formulations. With reference to experience from treatment with NSAIDs with systemic uptake, the following is recommended:
Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis may adversely affect the pregnancy and/or the embryo/foetal development. Data from epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of miscarriage and of cardiac malformation and gastroschisis after use of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor in early pregnancy. The absolute risk for cardiovascular malformation was increased from less than 1%, up to approximately 1.5%.
The risk is believed to increase with dose and duration of therapy. In animals, administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor has been shown to result in increased pre- and post-implantation loss and embryo-foetal lethality. In addition, increased incidences of various malformations, including cardiovascular, have been reported in animals given a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor during the organogenetic period. During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, diclofenac should not be given unless clearly necessary. If diclofenac is used by a woman attempting to conceive, or during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible.
During the third trimester of pregnancy, all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors may expose the fetus to:
The mother and the neonate, at the end of pregnancy, to:
Consequently, diclofenac is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines during the third trimester of pregnancy, may result in premature closure of the foetal ductus arteriosus in utero, and possibly, in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the new-born. The onset of labour may be delayed and its duration increased.
Diclofenac passes into breast milk in small amounts. However, at therapeutic doses of Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour, no effects on the suckling child are anticipated. Because of a lack of controlled studies in lactating women, the product should only be used during lactation under advice from a healthcare professional. Under this circumstance, Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour should not be applied on the breasts of nursing mothers, nor elsewhere on large areas of skin or for a prolonged period of time (see section 4.4).
Voltaren Emulgel 12 Hour has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Undesirable effects include mild and passing skin reactions at the site of application. In very rare instances, allergic reactions may occur.
Adverse reactions are listed below, by system organ class and frequency.
Each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Less frequent: Rash pustular
Less frequent: Hypersensitivity (including urticaria), angioedema
Less frequent: Asthma
Frequent: Dermatitis (including contact dermatitis), rash, erythema, eczema, pruritus.
Less frequent: Dermatitis bullous, photosensitivity reaction
The following additional side-effects have been observed with oral forms of diclofenac.
Less frequent: Epigastric pain, other gastro-intestinal disorders (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, dyspepsia, flatulence, anorexia).
Gastro-intestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer (with or without bleeding or perforation), bloody diarrhoea.
Lower gut disorders (e.g. non-specific haemorrhagic colitis and exacerbations of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's proctocolitis, colonic damage and stricture formation), pancreatitis, aphthous stomatitis, glossitis, oesophageal lesions, constipation.
Less frequent: Headache, dizziness, or vertigo, drowsiness, tiredness, disturbances of sensation, paraesthesia, memory disturbance, disorientation, disturbance of vision (blurred vision, diplopia), impaired hearing. Tinnitus, insomnia, irritability, convulsions, depression, anxiety, nightmares, tremor, psychotic reactions. Taste alteration disorders.
Less frequent: Rashes or skin eruptions, urticaria, eczema, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lyell's syndrome, (acute toxic epidermolysis), photosensitivity reactions, erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis), loss of hair, purpura including allergic purpura.
Less frequent: Acute renal failure, urinary abnormalities (e.g. haematuria, proteinuria), interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, papillary necrosis.
Less frequent: Elevation of serum aminotransferase enzymes (ALT, AST), liver function disorders including hepatitis (in isolated cases fulminant) with or without jaundice.
Less frequent: Thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, aplastic anaemia.
Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported following treatment with NSAIDs. These may consist of rare cases of anaphylactic/anaphylactoid systemic reactions including hypotension, and respiratory tract reactivity comprising asthma, aggravated asthma, bronchospasm or dyspnoea. (See also "Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders").
Less frequent: Oedema, chest pain
Less frequent: Palpitation.
Less frequent: Hypertension.
Less frequent: Impotence (association with diclofenac is doubtful).
Less frequent: Cardiac failure, hypertension.
Frequency unknown: Oedema.
Frequent: Peptic ulcers, perforation or gastrointestinal bleeding (sometimes fatal), nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, melaena, haematemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, exacerbation of colitis and Crohn's disease, gastritis.
Less frequent: Bullous reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Frequency unknown: Toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicine is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicine. Health care providers are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions to SAHPRA via the "6.04 Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting Form", found online under SAHPRA's publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8
None stated.
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