Voltaren

Country: Australia

Language: English

Source: Department of Health (Therapeutic Goods Administration)

Active ingredient:

Diclofenac sodium

Available from:

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd

Class:

Medicine Registered

Patient Information leaflet

VOLTAREN
®
 TABLETS &
SUPPOSITORIES

_diclofenac sodium_
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET
This leaflet answers some common
questions about Voltaren tablets and
suppositories . It does not contain all
the available information. It does not
take the place of talking to your
doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet was
last updated on the date listed on the
final page. More recent information
on the medicine may be available.
YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT YOU SPEAK
TO YOUR PHARMACIST OR DOCTOR TO
OBTAIN THE MOST UP TO DATE
INFORMATION ON THE MEDICINE. YOU
CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD THE MOST UP TO
DATE LEAFLET FROM
WWW.NOVARTIS.COM.AU.
Those updates may contain important
information about the medicine and
its use of which you should be aware.
All medicines have risks and
benefits. Your doctor has weighed
the risks of you using this medicine
against the benefits they expect it
will provide.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS
MEDICINE, ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR
PHARMACIST.
KEEP THIS LEAFLET WITH THE MEDICINE.
You may need to read it again.
WHAT VOLTAREN IS USED
FOR
Voltaren belongs to a group of
medicines called non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
which are used to treat pain and
reduce inflammation (swelling and
redness).
Voltaren is used to treat:
•
different types of arthritis
including rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis
•
other painful conditions where
swelling is a problem such as
back pain, rheumatism, muscle
strains, sprains and tendonitis
(e.g. tennis elbow)
•
menstrual cramps (period pain)
•
relieve pain in children after they
have had an operation.
It can relieve the symptoms of pain
and inflammation but it will not cure
your condition.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THIS MEDICINE
HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR YOU.
Your doctor may have prescribed it
for another purpose.
Voltaren is only available with a
doctor's prescription. It is not
addictive.
Voltaren suppositories should not be
used in children under 12 months of
age. Because of their

Summary of Product characteristics

1 

VOLTAREN
®

(DICLOFENAC SODIUM) 

NAME OF THE DRUG 

Active ingredient:  
Diclofenac sodium 
Chemical name:   
sodium-[0-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-amino] phenyl]-acetate 
CAS number:   
15307-86-5 
Molecular weight: 
296.15 
Molecular formula:   C
14
H
11
Cl
2
NO
2

Chemical Structure:

DESCRIPTION 

The active ingredient of Voltaren is diclofenac sodium, a
phenylacetic acid derivative, 
structurally similar to both the phenylalkanoic acid and
the anthranilic acid series of 
compounds.  Diclofenac sodium is an odourless, yellowish-white,
crystalline powder 
sparingly soluble in water. 

Voltaren Tablets are enteric coated and contain either 25
mg or 50 mg of diclofenac sodium.  
The excipients include:  silica - colloidal anhydrous,
cellulose - microcrystalline, lactose, 
magnesium stearate, starch - maize, povidone, hypromellose, iron
oxide yellow CI77492, 
titanium dioxide, sodium starch glycollate, talc - purified,
macrogol 8000, PEG-40 
hydrogenated castor oil, acrylates copolymer, iron oxide red
CI77491 (50 mg tablet only). 

Voltaren Suppositories contain either 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg or 100
mg diclofenac sodium in 
a triglyceride base. 

PHARMACOLOGY 

PHARMACODYNAMICS 
Diclofenac sodium, a non-steroidal compound, exhibits pronounced
antirheumatic, anti-
inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. 

As with other NSAIDs, its mode of action
is not known; however, its ability to inhibit 
prostaglandin synthesis may be involved in
the anti-inflammatory effect. 
N
Cl
H
Cl
CH
2
COONa

2 

In rheumatic diseases, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic
properties of Voltaren elicit a 
clinical response characterised by relief from signs and
symptoms such as pain at rest, pain on 
movement, morning stiffness, and swelling of the joints,
as well as by an improvement in 
function. 

In addition, clinical