Voltaren Gel Dosing
Apply 4 grams of Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium 1%) to the affected area four times daily for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain. 1, 2
Standard Dosing Regimen
- Apply 4 grams per application, four times daily to the affected knee or other joint 1, 2
- The gel should be applied as a thin film to the affected area 1
- This dosing schedule provides optimal therapeutic benefit while maintaining low systemic exposure compared to oral NSAIDs 1, 2
Application Instructions
- Patients should apply >90% of scheduled doses for maximum efficacy, as demonstrated in clinical trials 1
- The gel is designed for topical application only and should be rubbed gently into the skin 3
- Treatment duration in pivotal trials was 12 weeks, with significant pain reduction observed throughout this period 1
Clinical Efficacy Considerations
- Voltaren Gel demonstrates significant improvement in WOMAC pain scores (reduction of -5.8 in patients aged 25-64 years and -5.3 in patients ≥65 years) compared to vehicle 1
- The medication is equally effective in elderly patients (≥65 years) and younger adults (25-64 years), with no significant difference in efficacy between age groups 1
- Physical function improvements are substantial, with WOMAC physical function scores improving by -17.9 in younger patients and -15.5 in older patients 1
Safety Profile
- Application site dermatitis is the most common treatment-related adverse event, occurring in 4.0% of younger patients and 5.8% of elderly patients (compared to <1% with vehicle) 1
- Gastrointestinal adverse events are infrequent and similar to placebo rates in both age groups, representing a key advantage over oral NSAIDs 1
- Systemic exposure is significantly lower with topical application compared to oral diclofenac, with only 16.1% of the systemic exposure achieved with oral administration 2
Important Caveats
- Despite lower systemic exposure, Voltaren Gel carries the same boxed warnings as oral NSAIDs regarding cardiovascular and renal toxicity 3
- The gel should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, renal impairment, or gastrointestinal disease, though the risk profile is more favorable than oral NSAIDs 3
- Avoid concomitant use with other topical products on the same treatment area unless directed by a clinician, due to potential cumulative irritant effects 4