®Voltarol

^{®Voltarol
Tablets}

Geigy

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

What you need to know about Voltarol tablets 25mg and 50mg

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your tablets. It contains important information about your tablets.

What’s in your medicine

Voltarol tablets contain a substance called diclofenac. This is one of a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics. The tablets come in two strengths containing 25mg or 50mg of diclofenac sodium. The tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients:

silicon dioxide, lactose, maize starch, sodium starch glycollate, povidone, cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethoxylated castor oil, talc, titanium dioxide, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, silicone, yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide (50mg tablets only).

The 25mg tablets come in blister packs containing 84 tablets.

The 50mg tablets come in blister packs containing 10 or 84 tablets.

Made by: Ciba Pharmaceuticals, Horsham, West Sussex.

Product Licence Holder: Ciba-Geigy plc,

Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

What this medicine is used for

Voltarol is used to treat a number of painful conditions affecting the joints and muscles. Doctors sometimes prescribe these tablets for other purposes; ask your doctor for information.

Before taking your medicine

Do you have or have you ever had a stomach or duodenal ulcer?
Have you had an allergic reaction, skin rash or wheezing after taking aspirin or any other medicine used to treat painful conditions?

If the answer to either of these questions is YES, do not take the tablets without talking to your doctor again.

Have you ever had stomach pains or heartburn after taking aspirin or other medicines used to treat painful conditions?
Do you suffer from any bowel disorders, for example, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?
Do you suffer or have you ever suffered from any heart, kidney or liver disease?

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

Are you pregnant or trying to become pregnant or breast feeding? If so, tell your doctor before you start taking Voltarol.

Are you taking any of the following:

Anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets like warfarin)? Lithium or digoxin?

Methotrexate?

Steroid tablets?

Diuretics (water tablets)?

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.

Other special warnings

Whilst you are taking these tablets, your doctor may want to give you a check-up from time to time.

If you feel dizzy when you start to take these tablets, do not drive or work machinery until these effects wear off.

The 50mg tablets are not suitable for children.

These tablets contain lactose and polyethoxylated castor oil and may be unsuitable for some people.

Taking your medicine

It is important to take your tablets at the right time. You must take them as instructed by your doctor. The usual doses are as follows:

Adults

25-50mg taken two or three times a day

Children aged 1 year or over

Doses vary with age and your doctor will have prescribed Voltarol tablets 25mg at a dose suitable for your child. Follow his/her instructions carefully.

If you are not sure about the dose check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water or milk. DO NOT crush or chew the tablets.

You may find it convenient to take Voltarol with food.

If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. Then go on as before. DO NOT take more than three doses in 24 hours.

If you accidentally take too many Voltarol tablets, tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest hospital casualty department.

After taking your medicine

Usually, these tablets do not cause problems. They can, however, sometimes cause unwanted effects in some people. If you get any of the following:

Stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn or feeling sick for the first time.

Any sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestine, for example, passing black stools.

Skin rash, itching or bruising.

A sudden attack of wheezing or shortness of breath.

Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Persistent sore throat or high temperature.

An unexpected change in the amount of urine produced and/or its appearance.

STOP taking the tablets and tell your doctor.

Other effects which are unusual but which may occur include headache, dizziness or tiredness.

Very rarely, these tablets can have other effects on the nervous system causing, for example, sleeplessness or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days treatment. If they are severe or last for more than a few days, tell your doctor. Also, if your tablets upset you in any other way, tell your doctor.

Storing your medicine

The expiry date for these tablets is given on the carton. Do not take the tablets after this date.

Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place out of reach of children. Return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.

REMEMBER: this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as you.

The information in this leaflet applies only to Voltarol. This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your tablets. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.