Dear Joyce,
I am enclosing an excerpt providing important information about Voltaren Gel. Please contact your doctor as soon as your have read this.
Important information about Voltaren Gel
Before using Voltaren Gel, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.
Do not use cosmetics, sunscreen, lotions, insect repellant, or other medicated skin products not prescribed by your doctor. These products may interfere with Voltaren Gel, or increase skin irritation. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds) while you are using Voltaren Gel.
While the risk of absorbing Voltaren Gel into your bloodstream is low, all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use Voltaren Gel just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are using an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Hope this helps and good luck!
