VOLTAREN GEL

Indications

Approved Uses

Local symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation in acute soft-tissue injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, contusions) and localized rheumatic conditions; and relief of pain in osteoarthritis of superficial joints amenable to topical treatment (e.g., knees, hands/finger joints).

Off-Label Uses

Common off-label uses include localized tendinopathy/tennis elbow, bursitis, and plantar fasciitis (symptomatic relief).

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Osteoarthritis (topical diclofenac gel): upper extremities (hand/wrist/elbow) 2 g to each affected joint QID; lower extremities (knee/ankle/foot) 4 g to each affected joint QID; do not exceed 32 g/day total across all joints. For acute soft-tissue injuries, apply a thin layer to the affected area 3-4 times daily for a short course (commonly up to 7-14 days) per local labeling/clinical practice.

Initial Dose

2-4g applied to the affected area 3-4 times daily, depending on the size of the area.

Maintenance Dose

2-4g applied to the affected area 3-4 times daily.

Maximum Dose

Maximum total daily dose: 32 g/day across all affected joints; typical per-joint limits are 16 g/day for lower-extremity joints and 8 g/day for upper-extremity joints (per FDA Voltaren Gel dosing).

How to Take

Apply to intact skin only and gently rub in; typical adult dosing is 2 g (upper extremity joints) or 4 g (lower extremity joints) per application up to 4 times daily (max 32 g/day total). Wash hands after use (unless treating hands). Avoid eyes/mucosa and broken/irritated skin; do not use occlusive dressings or apply external heat; allow the gel to dry before covering with clothing and avoid bathing/showering for at least 1 hour after application.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Application-site reactions such as rash, pruritus/itching, erythema/redness, dryness, irritation/burning, and dermatitis (sometimes scaling).

Safety & Warnings

Age Restriction

Not recommended under 14 years

Drug Interactions

Food Interaction

No restriction

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Category C (first and second trimesters); contraindicated in third trimester.

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop anytime if symptoms resolve. Discontinue use if a skin rash develops.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), decreasing prostaglandin synthesis and thereby reducing local inflammation, pain, and swelling at the application site.

Onset of Action

Onset is typically within about 30-60 minutes, with continued improvement over several days of regular use.

Duration of Effect

Analgesic effect is generally maintained with QID dosing; a practical per-application duration is about 4-6 hours (not 12 hours for the 1% gel).

Bioavailability

Systemic exposure after topical diclofenac gel is low-approximately ~6% of systemic exposure compared with oral diclofenac (i.e., markedly reduced systemic bioavailability vs oral).

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

For this product per verified API data: topical gel (Voltaren Emulgel 1%).

Composition per Dose

Each 1 gram of gel contains 11.6 mg of diclofenac diethylamine (equivalent to 10 mg of diclofenac sodium).

Generic Availability

Yes

Pain Type

Muscular/Joint

Nsaid

Yes

Opioid

No

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 25-06-2026