Author: Unknown

^®Voltarol ^®Emulgel

What you need to know about
^®Voltarol ^®Emulgel

Please read this carefully before you start to use Voltarol Emulgel. This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist

Voltarol Emulgel is a gel for rubbing into the skin and contains a substance called diclofenac. Diclofenac is one of the group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics. Anti-inflammatory analgesic gels are used to relieve pain and reduce swelling in a number of painful conditions affecting the joints and muscles, for example, sprains strains and bruises, and some sorts of arthritis.

Things to remember about ^®Voltarol ^®Emulgel

•	Make sure it is safe for you to use Voltarol Emulgel (see the back of this leaflet).
	
•	Use the gel as described over the page.
	
•	Be careful not to get the gel in your eyes. If this happens, rinse your eyes with clean water and tell your doctor. Do not swallow Voltarol Emulgel.
	
•	This medicine may cause unwanted effects in some people. You can find information about these effects on the back of this leaflet.
	
•	Keep your medicine in a cool place out of reach of children. Voltarol Emulgel is not suitable for use in children.

This leaflet has been prepared for patients as part of our ‘Partners in Health Care’ theme by:-
Geigy Pharmaceuticals, Horsham, West Sussex, England.

PL0001/0131

Manufactured by
Ciba-Geigy Limited, Basle, Switzerland.

Voltarol Emulgel is a non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory analgesic gel. Anti-inflammatory analgesic gels are used to relieve pain and reduce swelling in a number of painful conditions affecting the joints and muscles, for example, sprains, strains and bruises. Voltarol Emulgel is also used to treat arthritis in joints.

What's in your medicine
•	Voltarol Emulgel is a white, pleasant-smelling, non-greasy gel.
•	Each 100g of gel contains the equivalent of 1g of diclofenac sodium.
•	The gel also contains propylene glycol, isopropanol and a number of other substances. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you want to know about these.

Before using your medicine
•	Have you had: skin rash, wheezing or asthma attack after taking aspirin or any other medicine used to treat painful conditions affecting the joints and muscles?
•	Are you allergic to propylene glycol or isopropanol?

If the answer to either of these questions is YES, DO NOT USE Voltarol Emulgel without talking to your doctor again.

•	Are you pregnant or breast feeding?
•	Are you taking any other tablets for aches and pains, particularly any containing diclofenac?
•	Do you have or have you ever had a stomach or duodenal ulcer?
•	Are you taking any other medicines which your doctor does not know about?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Voltarol Emulgel is not suitable for use in children.

© Ciba-Geigy PLC 1994

Using your medicine
•	Gently rub a small amount of gel into the skin around the painful or swollen area. The amount of gel needed will vary depending upon the size of the painful or swollen area. Usually, a blob the size of a 1 -penny or 2-pence piece will be sufficient.
•	You can apply the gel 3 to 4 times daily unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise. You may notice a slight cooling effect when you rub the gel into the skin.
•	Do not rub the gel into cuts, open wounds or any other area where the skin is abnormal. After rubbing the gel into the skin, do not cover with bandages or sticking plaster.
•	Be careful not to get the gel in your eyes. If this happens, rinse your eyes with clean water and tell your doctor.
•	Never swallow Voltarol Emulgel.
•	Wash your hands after rubbing in the gel (unless they are the site being treated).
•	Strains, sprains and bruises will normally improve within 2 weeks. If they do not or your symptoms get worse, tell your doctor.
•	If you are using Voltarol Emulgel for arthritis, your doctor may wish to review your treatment regularly.

After using your medicine
It is unusual for this medicine to cause problems.  Occasionally, the following unwanted effects can occur:

•	Itching, reddening or smarting of the skin.
•	Skin rash.
•	Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Be careful when sunbathing or using sunlamps.

Tell your doctor if any of these problems arise. Also, if your medicine upsets you in any other way, tell your doctor.

Precautions
REMEMBER: This medicine is for YOU. Only a doctor con prescribe it for you Never give it to others. It may be unsuitable for them even if they have the same symptoms as you. Do not use the gel after the expiry date shown on the tube. Return any unused gel to your Pharmacist.