diclofenac epolamine
Diclofenac patch is a topical skin patch that works well to treat pain and inflammation caused by strains, sprains, and bruises. It's easy to apply, but you cannot get the patches wet.
What is Diclofenac patch?
What is Diclofenac patch used for?
- Acute (sudden onset) pain from minor strains, sprains, and bruises
How Diclofenac patch works
Diclofenac patch is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks the inflammation process in your body, which relieves pain and swelling.
Drug facts
Side effects of Diclofenac patch
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Application site reactions, like burning, itching, inflamed skin, dryness, or redness (11%)
- Digestive tract reactions, like nausea, upset stomach, indigestion, changes in your sense of taste, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or dry mouth (9%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Pins-and-needles sensation
- Numbness
Diclofenac patch serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver problems: nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes
- Kidney problems: irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, reduced urine output, confusion, weakness
- Heart attack: chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in jaw, neck, or shoulders
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling or fluid buildup in ankles, feet, or legs, cough
- Stroke: weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, loss of balance, confusion
- Digestive tract bleeding: black or tarry stool, dizziness, stomach pain or discomfort
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, swelling of face, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing
- Serious skin reactions: flu-like symptoms, painful rash or blisters all over body, peeling of skin
The following Diclofenac patch side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Increase in blood pressure
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Round red or dark patches on the skin that may itch, burn, and blister
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Irritation at application site
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Pros and cons of Diclofenac patch
Pros
- Available as a patch that you apply to the skin, so it's a good option for people who cannot take medications by mouth
- Less likely to cause addiction and abuse compared to opioids
- Available as a generic
Cons
- Might take a few hours to start relieving pain
- Can't apply to damaged or broken skin
- Not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester
Pharmacist tips for Diclofenac patch
- Always make sure to wash your hands well aftering handling the patch and avoid getting the medication into your eyes.
- Diclofenac patch shouldn't be used on broken skin or damaged skin resulting from dermatitis, eczema, lesions, burns, or wounds. Doing so can cause further irritation to the skin and raise your risk for more side effects.
- You can tape down the edges of the patch if it begins to peel off. You can also cover the patch with a mesh netting sleeve to areas, such as the ankles, knees, or elbows, if the patch is not sticking to your skin properly. Just make sure that whatever you're using to cover the patch is breathable and allows air to pass through it.
- Do not shower or bathe with the patch on, because the water can loosen the adhesive and the patch might fall off your skin.
- Throw away used patches by folding them onto itself so that the adhesive side sticks together and into the trash where children and pets cannot get to them. You will also need to throw away old patches that have passed their expiration dates.
- If you are allergic to aspirin, there is a chance you may be allergic to diclofenac patch as well. Tell your provider about all your allergies.
- Let your provider know if you're currently taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin). When warfarin (Coumadin) is taken together with diclofenac patch, there is a higher risk for bleeding. If you have to take these medications together, your provider may have to adjust your warfarin (Coumadin) dose more frequently.
Common questions about Diclofenac patch
No, diclofenac patch is not a controlled substance. Unlike some pain medications, such as opioids, diclofenac patch does not cause abuse, dependency, and misuse.
While diclofenac patch and lidocaine (Lidoderm) can be used to relieve pain, they are not in the same medication class and do not work the same way in the body. Diclofenac patch is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), whereas lidocaine (Lidoderm) is considered an anesthetic (numbing) agent. Talk to your provider about which option is best for you.
It's recommended to use 1 diclofenac patch for about 12 hours. After that, you should apply a brand new patch to the affected area.
There are risks when taking any medication and diclofenac patch is not an exception. The biggest risks associated with diclofenac patch are heart-related problems and digestive tract problems, such as bleeding or ulcers. This medication can be very harmful if accidentally exposed to small children or pets, so make sure to store and throw away diclofenac patch properly.
Unless instructed by your provider, do not take oral NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), with diclofenac patch, because this can increase your risk for bleeding and kidney problems.
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Risks and warnings for Diclofenac patch
Diclofenac patch can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Heart attack and stroke
- Risk factors: Long-term use | History of heart disease | History of heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG)
Using diclofenac patch patches for long periods of time can raise your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you've had a history of heart disease or are planning a heart bypass surgery. Use diclofenac patch for the shortest amount of time possible needed to control your symptoms in order to lower this risk. Talk to your provider about alternatives to diclofenac patch if you're going to have heart bypass surgery.
Stomach bleeding
- Risk factors: Age 65 or older | History of stomach bleed or ulcers | Longer duration of treatment | Use of oral corticosteroids, aspirin, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | Smoking | Alcohol use
Using diclofenac patch can raise your risk of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Talk to your provider if you suddenly get sharp pains in your stomach or you notice bright red blood in your vomit, or dark, tarry stool.
Heart problems
- Risk factors: History of high blood pressure | Heart failure
Diclofenac patch can raise your blood pressure and worsen your symptoms of heart failure, including fluid buildup, which can lead to heart attacks and hospitalizations. If you have heart-related problems, discuss the risks and benefits of using diclofenac patch with your provider before starting this medication. Follow up with your provider regularly to monitor signs of worsening heart failure and to check your blood pressure.
Lowered kidney function
- Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Dehydration | Heart failure | Liver problems | Taking diuretics (water pills) and ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) | Age 65 or older
Diclofenac patch and similar medications in the NSAID family can cause poor kidney function or permanent kidney damage. In some cases, problems with your kidneys may raise the potassium levels in your blood. If you experience irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, less urine output, confusion, or weakness while using this medication, let your provider know.
Liver problems
Diclofenac patch and similar medications in the NSAID family can cause liver problems. Your provider might order blood tests to make sure that your liver is healthy. Let your provider know if you experience nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes while using this medication.
Serious allergic reactions
- Risk factors: History of allergic reaction to aspirin or NSAIDs | Aspirin-sensitive asthma
If you've experienced a serious allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs in the past, then there's a chance that you may develop an allergic reaction to diclofenac patch as well. Let your provider know about all of your allergies before starting this medication. If you experience hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat after using diclofenac patch, get medical help right away.
Life-threatening skin reactions
- Risk factors: History of serious skin reactions to NSAIDs
Diclofenac patch can cause life-threatening skin reactions, such as painful rash or blisters all over the body and peeling of the skin. You may also experience flu-like symptoms. If this happens, you will need to stop using this medication and switch to a different one.
Harm to unborn baby
Diclofenac patch isn't recommended for use during pregnancy, especially after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can cause serious harm to the unborn baby, including kidney, lung, and heart problems. If you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant, talk with your provider about other safer alternatives.
Anemia (low red blood cells)
- Risk factors: Taking with other blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin)) | Taking with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Diclofenac patch can raise your risk of bleeding which can lead to anemia (low red blood cells). If you experience fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, or dizziness after using this medication, let your provider know. You may need regular blood tests to make sure that your red blood cells are within normal levels.
Careful handling of diclofenac patch
Diclofenac patch patches should be stored in a safe and secure place and discarded properly to avoid accidental exposure to children and pets. Life-threatening side effects can occur if a child or pet accidentally uses, chews, or ingests diclofenac patch. It's also important to avoid getting any of this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, immediately wash your eye(s) out with water or saline solution, and contact your provider if you're still experiencing eye irritation for more than 1 hour.
Avoid taking oral NSAIDs
Avoid using diclofenac patch with other oral NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), unless instructed by your provider. When diclofenac patch is used together with oral NSAIDs, there is a higher risk for bleeding and kidney problems.
Diclofenac patch dosage
Patch| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3% | 30 patches | $142.31 | $4.74 |
Typical dosage for Diclofenac patch
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