Voltaren Xr Extended Release Tablets MedFacts

Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets

Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets is used for:

Treating rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms.

Do NOT use Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets
• you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin or an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib)
• you have recently had or are going be have bypass heart surgery
• you are in the 3rd trimester (last 3 months) of pregnancy

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal product, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers)
• if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation
• if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders (eg, porphyria), bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or if you are at risk for any of these diseases
• if you have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol, or you have a history of alcohol abuse

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), heparin, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) because risk of stomach bleeding may be increased
• Probenecid because it may increase the risk of Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets's side effects
• Cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, or quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril) or diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets Usage Guidelines

You should use Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets refilled.
• Take Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets by mouth. It may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not lower the risk of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcers). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent stomach upset.
• Swallow Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Take Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL) as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as you get it remembered. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets.

Important safety information on voltaren

• Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets may cause dizziness or drowsiness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets. Taking it in high doses, for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets with food will NOT reduce the risk of these effects. If you have severe stomach or back pain; black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds; or unusual weight gain or swelling, contact your doctor or emergency room right away.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets is an NSAID. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen) in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not take aspirin while you are using Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not switch between different forms of Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets (eg, enteric-coated tablets, extended-release tablets) unless your doctor tells you to. They may not provide the same amount of medicine to your body.
• Lab tests, including kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets. These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially stomach bleeding and kidney problems.
• Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets may cause harm to the fetus. Do not use it during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets while you are pregnant. It is not known if Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets.

Side effects may be caused by Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets

All medicines can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; gas; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach upset.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased urination; loss of consciousness; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness; severe nausea or stomach pain; slow or troubled breathing; tremor; unusual bleeding or bruising; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Store Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Voltaren XR Extended-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.