How much?

The following pharmaceutical forms of  Voltadol® are currently authorized for marketing in our country:

• Voltadol® 40 mg patches pack of 5 patches at the price of 14.50 euros;
• Voltadol® 40 mg patches  pack of 10 patches at the price of 21.90 euros;
• Voltadol® Termico in a pack of 2 plasters at the price of 8.90 euros.

How does it work?

Voltadol® belongs to the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are administered for topical use. It has an antiphlogistic and analgesic action and also antipyretic action. It is a medicated plaster with the aim of helping the absorption of the active ingredient of the product directly on the affected area. It has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-edema action.

The active ingredient of Voltadol®, diclofenac sodium, is used for the treatment of painful and inflammatory states at a local level, whether of a rheumatic or traumatic nature.

Posology and Method of Use

Following a therapy based on Voltadol® , reference should be made to the dosage indicated by the doctor.

The patch should only be used on intact, healthy skin. In adults , the patch should be applied 2 times a day, one patch in the morning and one in the evening. The product should not be used for a treatment longer than 7-10 days.

In adolescents over 16 years of age, the patch should be used 2 times a day in the morning and in the evening. If the disturbance does not resolve within a week, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

In children and adolescents under 16 years of age, the drug is contraindicated. In the elderly, the product should be used with caution. In patients with kidney or liver disease, the drug should be used with caution.

To apply the patch, open the bag and take the patch, apply the patch by removing the protective sheets. Apply a little pressure to fully adhere the patch to the skin.

To remove the patch, just moisten it with water and lift it. To wash away any residue, simply rinse the area with water using circular movements. If you have any doubts about the use of this medicine, you should consult your doctor.

Overdose

It is very rare to experience an overdose , but if the patient thinks he has used too many patches or accidentally ingests part of the patch contents, it is advisable to consult a doctor or the nearest hospital.

If you forget to take the medicine, you do not need to take a double dose. This way you avoid the symptoms of an overdose. If you have any doubts about the use of this medicine and its overdose, you should consult your doctor.

Can it be used during pregnancy?

Regarding the possibility of using Voltadol® during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you need to ask your doctor’s opinion. You should not take any medication if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant without first asking your doctor’s advice.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding you should not take any medicines, including over-the-counter and non-prescription medicines, without first asking your doctor’s opinion and without first assessing the relationship between risk and benefit.

The drug should not be taken during the first and second trimester of pregnancy unless otherwise advised by the doctor. The drug can increase the risk of miscarriage and also of malformations in the fetus. The higher the dose, the higher the risk increases.

During the third trimester of pregnancy the drug should not be used because it can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys and heart of the fetus and also cause prolonged bleeding time in both the mother and the newborn.

The drug passes into breast milk although no effects on the nursing infant are noted. Although no effects on the infant are known, the drug is not recommended during breastfeeding.

Contraindications

The use of Voltadol® is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to sodium diclofenac or to the excipients contained in the patches. The active ingredients contained in the drug are: butyl methacrylate, acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer, basic copolymer, polyethylene glycol 12 stearate, non-woven fabric, silicone paper and sorbitan oleate.

The drug is contraindicated if the patient has suffered attacks of asthma, urticaria or rhinitis in the past after taking acetylsalicylic acid-based products or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If the patient has dermatitis, infected lesions, eczema, wounds, burns or skin lesions the drug is contraindicated. If the patient has stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer the drug is contraindicated.

Interaction with other drugs

The drug has no interactions, but it is still advisable to consult the doctor if the patient has taken, is taking or will take any other drug together with Voltadol®.

The drug is for topical use and absorption is very low. Although absorption is reduced, it is advisable not to take other NSAIDs or drugs with diclofenac together with Voltadol®.

Voltadol® together with other medicines with diclofenac can cause skin reactions, even serious ones such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Lyell’s syndrome.

Side effects

Like any drug, Voltadol® can also cause side effects . Common side effects that may affect up to 1 in 10 people: itching, rash, erythema, eczema, dermatitis.

Rare side effects which may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people: bullous dermatitis, burning, dry skin.

Very rare side effects which may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people: allergic reactions, asthma, swelling of the skin, rash, pustules, spots or redness after sunbathing or after using sunlamps.

If the patient should notice even a single side effect not listed on the leaflet, he must notify the doctor or pharmacist who will take care of reporting the hitherto unknown effects to the Italian Medicines Agency.

Do not use the medicine after the expiry date  which can be read on the product packaging. The expiry date must be associated with the product correctly stored and in the original packaging.

It is also advisable to keep the drug in the original packaging and to keep it away from sources of light and/or direct heat sources. Do not use the drug if the packaging appears to have been tampered with and/or damaged or if the appearance of the patch has changed from the original one.