Voltarol overview

Voltarol – bring back the joy of movement for your patients

The Voltarol range of products provides effective relief of body pain to help patients rediscover the joy of movement.

Voltarol – for effective relief of body pain

Relative potency of diclofenac, ketoprofen and ibuprofen

Diclofenac is a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient¹

Most Voltarol products include the potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac.^1,2

This active ingredient targets pain at its source by reducing inflammation.^1,3

Graphic depicting systemic exposure with topical or oral diclofenac

Low systemic absorption, for a lower risk of systemic side effects^4,5

The topical application of Voltarol Gels have a low systemic exposure meaning a reduced risk of systemic side effects and drug-drug interactions.^4,5

Products that match patient needs

The Voltarol family of products contains a range of solutions to suit your patient's requirements, including:

A selection of formulations – including topical gels, medicated plaster and non-medicated patch
Products based on either the active ingredient diclofenac or non-drug technology
Treatments formulated specifically for common types of body pain – including joint pain; muscle pain; sprains and strains; and back* and neck pain

*Not Voltarol Medicated Plaster

The science behind Voltarol

Targeting pain with the potent anti-inflammatory effects of diclofenac¹

Diclofenac reduces inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis through action on the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. Diclofenac exerts its therapeutic effects primarily through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by COX-2. It also reduces the production of leukotrienes by inhibiting phospholipase A2 activity.³

Diclofenac not only provides pain relief but also treats inflammation – a root cause of pain.

Harnessing the pain-relieving action of heat

Topical heat treatment applied directly on the skin increases both deep tissue temperature and blood flow and provides clinically proven relief of pain.^6-8

The therapeutic benefits of continuous low-level heat* are long-lasting – pain relief is still provided up to 24 hours** after the heat source is removed.^6†

According to some clinical guidelines for low back pain, superficial heat is the only non-pharmacological treatment with good evidence to support a pain-relieving effect.^9,10†

*40°C for 8 hours per day for at least 2 days.**Up to 24 hours of pain relief in lower back pain from second day of treatment

^†American Pain Society/American College of Physicians guidelines.

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The Voltarol range offers pain-relief products tailored to individual patient needs

Voltarol Back & Muscle Pain Relief 1.16% Gel (diclofenac diethylammonium) for strains and sprains

Scientifically proven to help relieve muscle pain, reduce inflammation and restore movement^11–13

See the evidence for Voltarol Back & Muscle Pain Relief 1.16% Gel. 100g pack available with no mess applicator.

Voltarol Max Strength Pain Relief 2.32% Gel (diclofenac diethylammonium) offers convenient twice daily application

With a permeation enhancer to increase penetration of diclofenac,¹⁴ it provides up to 12 hours of relief from joint pain.¹⁵

See how Voltarol Extra Strength Pain Relief 2.32% Gel can help your patients, with just twice daily topical application

Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief 1.16% Gel (diclofenac diethylammonium) for patients with osteoarthritis

As effective as oral NSAIDs for localised joint pain with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal side effects.¹⁶

See how Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief Gel can help your patients with osteoarthritis.

Voltarol 140 mg Medicated Plaster (diclofenac sodium) for sprains and strains

Effective relief of muscle pain with a medicated plaster that targets pain and inflammation.¹⁷

Learn how Voltarol 140 mg Medicated Plaster can alleviate musculoskeletal pain.

Voltarol Heat Patch – for non-medicated relief

Deep-penetrating and long-lasting relief using continuous low-level heat therapy.^6,18–20*

See how Voltarol Heat Patch can help your patients with back and neck pain

*40°C for 8 hours per day for at least 2 days.

Product Information

Voltarol Back & Muscle Pain Relief 1.16% Gel, Voltarol Max Strength Pain Relief 2.32% Gel, Voltarol Joint & Back Pain Relief 2.32% Gel, Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief 1.16% Gel (diclofenac diethylammonium), Voltarol 140 mg Medicated Plaster (diclofenac sodium). Indications Gels: Local symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation in trauma of the tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints e.g. due to sprains, strains and bruises, and localised forms of soft tissue rheumatism. Osteoarthritis and Max Strength Gel only: Relief of pain of non-serious arthritic conditions. Plaster: Local symptomatic, short term treatment of pain in acute strains, sprains or bruises of the extremities following blunt trauma. Dosage and method of use Gels: Adults and children aged 14 years and over. Gently rub 2-4 g into skin of affected site. Gels & Plaster: If symptoms worsen or do not improve within 7 days, seek medical advice. Back & Muscle Gel: Apply 3-4 times daily for up to 7 days. Leave at least 4 hours between applications. No more than 4 applications in 24 hours. Maximum daily dose 16 g. Max Strength Pain Relief: Apply 2 times daily (morning and evening) for up to 14 days. Maximum daily dose 8 g. Not for use for longer than 14 days unless recommended by doctor. Joint & Back Pain Relief: Apply 2 times daily (morning and evening) for up to 7 days. Maximum daily dose 8 g. Not for use for longer than 7 days unless recommended by doctor. Osteoarthritis Gel: Apply 3-4 times daily for up to 14 days. Maximum daily dose 16 g. Not for use for longer than 14 days unless recommended by doctor. Consult doctor if more than two major joints affected. Plaster: Adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over: Apply 1 plaster to the painful area twice daily (morning and evening), for up to 7 days. Max dose 2 plasters/day. Treat one painful area at a time. Remove prior to bathing/showering. Use for shortest duration necessary to control symptoms. Contraindications Patients whose asthma, angioedema, urticaria or acute rhinitis are precipitated by aspirin or other NSAIDs. Hypersensitivity to diclofenac, aspirin, other NSAIDs or excipients. Third trimester of pregnancy. Gels: Children under 14 years. Plaster: Children under 16 years. Patients with active peptic ulcer, angioedema, damaged skin. Precautions Gels: Do not use on large areas of skin and over a prolonged period. Do not smoke and avoid naked flames. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight to avoid photosensitivity. Gels/Plaster: Apply only to intact, non-diseased skin. Do not use with occlusion. Avoid ingestion or contact with eyes or mucous membranes. Caution in patients with previous or active peptic ulceration; suffering from/previous history of asthma or allergic disease. Discontinue use if skin rash develops. Caution with concomitant use of other diclofenac products or systemic NSAIDs. Plaster: Avoid exposure to ultraviolet light after removing the plaster. Use with caution in elderly patients and in patients with impaired renal, cardiac or hepatic function, bowel disease or haemorrhagic diathesis. Side effects See SPCs for full details. Rash, erythema, pruritus, dermatitis, eczema. Hypersensitivity (including urticaria), angioedema. Asthma. Photosensitivity reactions. Gels: Desquamation, skin discolouration. Plaster: application site reactions, dry skin, anaphylactic type reaction. Product licence number, legal category, pack size and RSP (excl. VAT) Back & Muscle Gel: PL 44673/0156 (GSL) 30 g £5.41, 50 g £7.49, 100 g £12.08. Max Strength Pain Gel: PL 44673/0154 (P), 30 g £7.08, 50 g £9.99, 100 g £15.58. Joint & Back Pain Gel:PL 44673/0160 (GSL), 30 g £7.08, 50 g £9.99. Osteoarthritis Gel: PL 44673/0155 (P), 30 g £5.41, 50 g £7.49, 100 g £12.08. Plaster: PL 15545/0012 (GSL), 5s £16.66. PL holder Gels: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (UK) Trading Limited, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, U.K. Plaster: GlaxoSmithKline Dungarvan Limited, Knockbrack, Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. Date of preparation: March 2023.

Voltarol – for effective relief of pain

Patient care resources

Review educational materials on Voltarol products for your patients.

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Conditions

Our overviews of common pain conditions explore the causes, signs, symptoms and impact of each condition, and summarise the latest evidence-based management recommendations.