Voltaren gel is now OTC!

exbrnxgrl
exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
edited June 2020 in Pain

For those experiencing bone/joint pain from the AI’s, Voltaren is now available over the counter. It is a topical NSAID. For me, it provides much more long lasting relief than any other topicals meds

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  • magiclight
    magiclight Member Posts: 8,690
    edited August 2020

    I'd like to underline that it is an NSAID and should not be used by those on blood thinners. Also see the list provided by the Mayo Clinic and possible problems.

    https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/diclo...


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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    Thanks! Yes, of course anyone considering it’s use should read all the info on it as you would with any new meds. If you have nothing that prohibits you from using it, give it a try. I think it’s pretty amazing

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited June 2020

    Is the OTC the same strength as Rx? I need something to help with the joint pain

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    Yes, it is! I never had a prescription for it, but I had tried some that my father had. I kept forgetting to ask my mo about it but was thrilled when I saw it was now otc. The price is reasonable too and it’s the best topical I’ve tried

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  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited June 2020

    Yes, saw it being sold in Target and was surprised

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited June 2020

    I saw it on a billboard somewhere!

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited June 2020

    Hi, I just bought some Voltaren at Costco. I'm hoping it helps my knees! I wish I could use it on my hips.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    Is there some reason it can’t be used on hips? I have used it on my hands, knees and a big toe

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2020

    My OTC tube was 1% for $9.99. So I cancelled the Rx my doc called in. Not sure what a prescription strength was but I have a friend who brought some back from Mexico and it is 2.5%.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    According to what I’ve read, 1% was the prescription strength in the US. Of course, stronger prescriptions may be available in other countries. I know that there is a 12 hour formula available in some countries outside the US

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited June 2020

    Hi exbrnxgrl, It said there was no proven effect on shoulders/hips, but I might try it anyway! I'm already getting some good results for knee pain.

    It is 1%. If you use it as directed you are receiving 16g for lower body and 8g for upper. With a 2.5% maybe it is a 12 hour dose. Stronger doesn't always equal better in medicine.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    Yes! My right knee is now much happier 😃. Curious about it not having a proven effect on hips or shoulders . Maybe it doesn’t work as well in larger areas? I don’t know if the 12 hour is stronger or just an extended release formula. It would be nice if it lasted for 12 hours but since it’s not available in the US not much use thinking about it

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited June 2020

    I buy a stronger dose in Europe. It's OTC there. It's 12 hour.

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  • Butterfly1234
    Butterfly1234 Member Posts: 2,432
    edited June 2020

    Can you use this on arthritic fingers and lower back pain?

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    Butterfly,

    I use it on my fingers, thumb and wrist and am very pleased with the pain relief. I don’t have any experience with the back, sorry.

    I think the extended release formula may be available in Canada

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited June 2020

    Is it good for arthritis? I don't have much joint pain, but do have arthritis in one area of my left pointer finger. I've been using CBD oil, extra strength, which helps some.

    Never mind, I went to Amazon and saw it is actually an arthritis treatment!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    pupmom,

    Give it a try! My issue with other topicals is that the pain relief was very short lived. I find that Voltaren lasts for many hours. I have a bit of arthritis in that very same finger and Voltaren helps. It also has no odor like some topicals do.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited June 2020

    I'm definitely going to try it! I usually don't feel any pain at night, but last night I did. Thanks for the heads up!

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  • fifthyear
    fifthyear Member Posts: 225
    edited June 2020

    That is great news that the gel is now OTC, and at Costco!! I have the prescription one, it is 1%, and made by a company in India, so this is likely the same one.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    fifthyear,

    Voltaren is the brand name of diclofenac sodium gel made by a Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) Regardless of where it’s made, if it's called Voltaren, it is the name brand. The 1% formula is the only one available in the US as an OTC product. I don’t know if there are generics available but if there are they would be called Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel not Voltaren.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2020

    This is the best stuff! I live in Seattle and used to buy many tubes of this in Vancouver BC for my father who has a lot of joint pain, as Canada had it OTC. The RX through medicare was so expensive. I am happy it is now OTC in the US!

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  • Betrayal
    Betrayal Member Posts: 1,374
    edited June 2020

    There is a generic form available in the US in the 1% strength.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2020

    I got regular, original Voltaren - 1% strength - over the counter at Walgreens for $9.99

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2020

    I haven’t seen the OTC generic yet, but my daughters still have me on lock down so I haven’t been in to stores. In my area, Target does curbside pickup when you order online. They only offered the Voltaren brand. I paid the same amount as minustwo and I think it’s quite reasonable

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  • Laurencl
    Laurencl Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2020

    Just saw a commercial and was wondering if it worked! Going to try it, knee pain due to anastrozole.

    Thanks for sharing

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  • Butterfly1234
    Butterfly1234 Member Posts: 2,432
    edited June 2020

    Thank you exbrnxgirl,

    Bought it today and will try it on hands and fingers tonight.

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