Non-aspirin NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as transdermal diclofenac, may increase a person’s chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke compared to non-users. These occurrences could be fatal and could occur suddenly. Those who use NSAIDs often may be at greater risk. If you have recently experienced a heart attack, avoid using an NSAID such transdermal diclofenac unless your doctor specifically instructs you to. Inform your doctor if you smoke, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, or if you or anyone in your family has ever suffered from heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. If you suffer any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention right away: chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side or area of your body, or slurred speech.

Transdermal diclofenac shouldn’t be used shortly before or right after having a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG; a form of cardiac surgery).

NSAIDs, like transdermal diclofenac, can enlarge the stomach or intestines and lead to ulcers, bleeding, or holes. These issues can arise at any point during therapy, without any prior symptoms, and they have the potential to be fatal. Those who use transdermal diclofenac for a prolonged period of time, are older, have poorer health, smoke, or consume alcohol may be at greater risk. Inform your doctor if you possess any of these risk factors, suffer from or have ever suffered from ulcers, stomach or intestine bleeding, or other bleeding problems. Any of the following medications should be disclosed to your doctor: anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”) like aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos) are examples of oral steroids; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva); or SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), which include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq) (Effexor XR). Stop using transdermal diclofenac and make an appointment with your physician if you suffer any of the following signs: stomach discomfort, heartburn, bloody or coffee-ground-like vomit, blood in the stool, or dark, tarry stools are other symptoms that may be present.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Your doctor will closely monitor your symptoms, likely examine your blood pressure, and likely prescribe a few tests to determine how your body is responding to transdermal diclofenac. Telling your doctor how you are feeling will help him or her determine the best course of treatment for your disease while minimising the possibility of negative side effects.

The manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) will be sent to you by your doctor or pharmacist when you start transdermal diclofenac treatment and each time you get a prescription refill. If you have any questions, carefully read the information and ask your doctor or chemist. The Medication Guide is also available on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

Transdermal diclofenac is used to treat acute pain in adults and children 6 years of age and older due to minor sprains, strains, and bruising. Diclofenac belongs to the group of pharmaceuticals known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It functions by inhibiting a chemical that the body produces that causes pain.

The most painful location of the body can be treated with transdermal diclofenac by applying a patch to the skin there. One daily application of the Diclofenac transdermal system (Licart) is typical. It is typical to apply the diclofenac patch (Flector) twice day, once every 12 hours. Administer the diclofenac patches daily at roughly the same times. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Never use fewer or more patches, or apply them more frequently than advised by your doctor.

Using diclofenac patches on skin that is harmed, cut, diseased, or covered in a rash is not advised.

Avoid getting the patches close to your mouth, nose, or eyes. If the patch does happen to touch your eye, wash it out right away with saline or water. If eye irritation persists for longer than an hour, see a doctor.

When taking a bath or shower, avoid wearing patches. After removing a patch, prepare to take a shower or a bath before applying the next one.

Applying diclofenac patches involves the following steps:

1. Using soap and water, clean the region of skin where the patch will be applied. In the selected skin area, avoid using any moisturising soaps, lotions, astringents, or other skin care products.
2. Dry the skin completely before applying the patch there.
3. Cut along the dotted line to open the patch-containing envelope, being careful not to cut the zipper seal that is immediately below it.
4. One patch can be removed by prying apart the zipper seal on the envelope. By squeezing the zipper closure together, reseal the envelope. To prevent the patches inside from drying out, make sure the envelope is closed tightly.
5. To separate the patch from the clear liner that is affixed to the sticky side of the patch, fold over one corner of the patch and gently massage the folded corner between your finger and thumb. Pull the liner off completely.
6. Place the patch on the desired area of skin and press firmly. To fix the patch, apply pressure to all four edges.
7. When you are wearing the patch, it could start to peel off. If this occurs, secure the patch’s edges using first aid tape.
8. Once a patch has been removed, fold it in half so that it adheres to itself and dispose of it in a trash bin that is out of the way of children and animals.
9. When you are done handling or applying the patch, wash your hands.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using diclofenac patches,

• Aspirin, other NSAIDs, diclofenac (Cambia, Pennsaid, Solaraze, Voltaren, Zipsor, Zorvolex, in Arthrotec), any other medications, or any of the other ingredients in diclofenac patches should be disclosed to your doctor and chemist. For a list of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide or speak with your chemist. If you develop asthma, growths in your nose, persistent runny nose, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or an allergic response after taking aspirin, an aspirin-containing product, or any other NSAID drug, let your doctor and chemist know. Most likely, your doctor will advise against using diclofenac patches.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention the drugs in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section as well as any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol and other products); ACE inhibitors like benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel); captopril; enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic); fosinopril; lisinopril (in Zestoretic); and moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic); ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), and quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic); candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), and losartan are angiotensin receptor blockers (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), some antibiotics; the blood pressure medications olmesartan (Benicar, Azor, Benicar HCT, Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, Micardis HCT, Twynsta), and valsartan (Exforge HCT); beta blockers such nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), and atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic); water pills, lithium (Lithobid), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), seizure medicines, methotrexate, diuretics, and cyclosporine (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you drink or have a history of drinking a lot of alcohol, have severe diarrhoea or vomiting, think you may be dehydrated, or have any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section (heart failure, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, stomach ulcers or bleeding, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease), let your doctor know right away.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. If diclofenac is used after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it may harm the foetus and complicate delivery. Unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor, avoid using diclofenac patches during or after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while wearing diclofenac patches.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are using diclofenac patches if you are scheduled for surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that while using diclofenac patches, it might be more difficult to determine whether you have an infection or another illness because this drug may also lower or prevent fever. If you’re not feeling well or have any symptoms of an infection or disease, call your doctor.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

As soon as you recall, apply a fresh patch. If, however, the subsequent application is almost due, skip the missing dose and carry on with your regular plan. Applying an additional diclofenac patch won’t make up for a forgotten dose.

Diclofenac transdermally may have negative side effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Numbness, dryness, redness, stinging, edoema, or other side effects at the application location
• Changes in preference
• Headache
• Sleepiness
• Skin tingling

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or any of those in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section:

• Hives
• Itching
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the face or throat, arms, or hands
• Unexplained weight gain
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet, or legs
• Wheezing
• Worsening of asthma
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Nausea
• Extreme tiredness
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dark-colored urine
• Rash
• Blisters on skin
• Fever
• Pale skin
• Fast heartbeat

Further adverse effects from using diclofenac patches are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this prescription tightly wrapped in the container it came in, out from the reach of children and animals. Place it in a cool, dry place.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Dial 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison control centre if someone swallows, chews, or suckers on diclofenac patches. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.