Voltaren (Diclofenac) for Chronic Pain

Overview
Voltaren is a prescription medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Voltaren may be referred to by its drug name, Diclofenac. Diclofenac is also sold under the brand names Cambia and Cataflam. Voltaren is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs help reduce fever, pain, and inflammation. Voltaren is believed to work by inhibiting the production of chemicals that promote inflammation and blood clot formation in the body.

How do I take it?
Voltaren is taken two to four times a day. Voltaren comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Voltaren lists common side effects including constipation, nausea, gas, diarrhea, headache, and tinnitus. Rare but serious side effects listed for Voltaren include stroke, heart attack, fluid retention, edema (swelling), liver damage, and gastrointestinal bleeding.