DICLOFENAC or VOLTAREN: which is better and what is the difference (differences in composition, reviews from doctors)

Characteristics of Diclofenac

This is a drug that has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is produced in dosage forms such as tablets, solution for intramuscular administration, ointment and gel for external use, rectal suppositories, drops. The main component is diclofenac sodium. The drug does not stop the progression of the pathology, but reduces its symptoms: inflammation and pain.

Diclofenac in the form of suppositories and tablets is prescribed in the following cases:

pain syndrome due to malignant neoplasms, headache and toothache, arthralgia, neuralgia, myalgia, ossalgia, radiculitis, lumbago, sciatica, pain after operations and injuries;
diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
algodismenorrhea;
inflammation in the pelvis;
infectious and inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs, which are accompanied by severe pain.

In addition, suppositories are used for fever that occurs with colds and flu.

Diclofenac and Voltaren help relieve pain, normalize body temperature, and relieve inflammation.

According to the instructions for use, the drug in the form of a solution in ampoules, intended for intramuscular administration, is prescribed for the following diseases and conditions:

neuralgia, lumbago, sciatica;
inflammatory processes in the pelvis;
diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
pain after operations and injuries.

Externally, the medication in the form of a gel or ointment is used if a person has:

soft tissue damaged as a result of injury;
muscle pain of a rheumatic or non-rheumatic nature appeared;
rheumatic lesions of soft tissues occurred;
diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Diclofenac in the form of eye drops is prescribed in the following cases:

inflammatory process of a non-infectious nature;
photophobia after keratotomy;
Cystic macular edema of the retina that occurs after cataract removal;
inflammation that developed after surgery.

This drug has many contraindications. These include:

liver and kidney diseases;
severe renal and liver failure;
stomach and duodenal ulcers;
inflammatory bowel diseases;
gastrointestinal bleeding;
a combination of recurrent polyposis of the paranasal sinuses and bronchial asthma with intolerance to NSAIDs;
severe heart failure;
hyperkalemia;
hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
children under 18 years of age;
third trimester of pregnancy;
breast-feeding.

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The main component of the medication prevents the penetration of leukocytes into injured tissues. This allows the drug to eliminate severe swelling around the diseased joint.

Taking Diclofenac can cause abdominal pain, problems with stool, and ulcerations in the mucous layer of the digestive tract.

The use of the drug may lead to the development of side effects:

abdominal pain;
problems with stool;
the appearance of ulcerations in the mucous layer of the digestive tract;
nausea, vomiting;
headache;
irritability, depression;
convulsions;
visual and hearing impairment.

Description of drugs

When choosing which is better - Voltaren emulgel or Diclofenac gel, you should take into account the duration of their use. The imported analogue is more suitable for a long therapeutic course. When visiting a pharmacy, you should present the pharmacist with a form with a doctor’s note and purchase the drugs he or she has chosen.

In what cases is this or that dosage form prescribed:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in injections quickly relieve even severe pain;
tablets are intended for course therapy of acute or chronic joint disease;
Rectal suppositories eliminate pain of any intensity and are combined with external agents of the same name.

Tablets are produced by manufacturers in various dosages. People suffering from pathologies of the musculoskeletal system should listen to the opinion of the treating vertebrologist or orthopedist. He has accumulated experience in the treatment of such diseases and has a better understanding of the effectiveness of drugs.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The mechanism of action of diclofenac sodium, like all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is based on blocking cyclooxygenase. The enzyme stimulates the production of arachidonic acid, and then prostaglandins and bradykinins. These mediators are responsible for the appearance of:

painful sensations;
feverish condition;
inflammatory process.

The active ingredient of the drugs prevents platelet aggregation and migration of leukocytes into damaged tissues. This explains the ability of NSAIDs to eliminate even severe swelling in the area of the affected joint.

Restoring microcirculation in damaged capillaries helps to get rid of even old hematomas.

Almost 100% of diclofenac from injections and tablets is absorbed into the systemic circulation, and only 6% from gel or ointment. Its high concentration accumulates in the synovial fluid and periarticular soft tissues. The phenylacetic acid compound is metabolized by liver cells through the process of glucuronidation. Biologically active and inactive metabolites are excreted from the human body with feces and urine.

Composition and release form

Domestic and foreign manufacturers produce Voltaren and Diclofenac in the same dosage forms. The dosages of local and systemic drugs do not differ either. The therapeutic line of NSAIDs includes:

rectal suppositories 0.025 mg, 0.05 mg, 0.1 mg, packaged in blisters made of metallized foil;
enteric-coated tablets 0.025 mg, 0.05 mg, 0.1 mg;
solution for parenteral administration No. 3 0.025 mg, 0.075 mg/ml;
1%, 2% ointment, 1%, 2% and 5% gel in aluminum tubes of 20 g, 30 g, 50 g, 100 g.

In ophthalmic practice, 0.1% eye drops with an anti-inflammatory effect are also used. The Swiss manufacturer produces Voltaren in the form of a transdermal patch and spray for rapid pain relief. The secondary packaging of all dosage forms is a cardboard box, which is accompanied by a detailed annotation.

Studying their composition will help you decide which is better - Voltaren suppositories or Diclofenac suppositories. When forming imported and domestic drugs, semi-synthetic glycerides and cetyl alcohol were used. Therefore, there is no fundamental difference between their therapeutic effects.

NSAID tablets are produced with the following fillers:

milk sugar;
sucrose;
potato starch;
povidone;
stearic acid.

Various chemical compounds are added to injection solutions as absorbents, stabilizers, and preservatives. These are sodium pyrosulfide, benzyl alcohol, mannitol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide. Auxiliary ingredients of products for local application are petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, nipagin, trolamine.

Characteristics of Voltaren

This is a non-steroidal drug that has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. It is produced in the form of tablets, a solution for intramuscular administration, rectal suppositories, a spray for external use, and a transdermal patch. The main component is diclofenac sodium.

The medication effectively reduces the severity of the following symptoms: stiffness and morning swelling of the joints, pain during movement and at rest. The drug relieves severe and moderate non-rheumatic pain well. After injuries and operations, the drug is used to relieve pain and reduce swelling of the postoperative wound. Suppositories ease migraine attacks and reduce blood loss during primary dysmenorrhea.

Voltaren is indicated for the following diseases:

inflammatory joint diseases: deforming osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis, rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic gouty arthritis;
arthralgia, neuralgia, ossalgia, myalgia, sciatica, radiculitis, lumbago;
rheumatic lesions of soft tissues, tendovaginitis, bursitis;
renal and hepatic colic;
acute attack of gout;
residual effects of pneumonia;
infectious inflammation of the ENT organs: otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
migraine attacks;
primary dysalgomenorrhea, adnexitis, inflammation in the pelvis;
pain syndrome after injuries and operations, accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Voltaren relieves severe and moderate non-rheumatic pain well.
The drug is contraindicated in the following cases:

stomach and duodenal ulcers during exacerbation;
attack of bronchial asthma, acute rhinitis, urticaria, which developed as a result of the use of non-steroidal drugs;
third trimester of pregnancy;
breast-feeding;
hyperkalemia;
liver diseases;
severe form of heart, liver, kidney failure;
destructive-inflammatory bowel diseases during exacerbation;
conditions that are accompanied by a risk of bleeding.

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It is forbidden to apply the patch to areas of the skin if they are damaged.

Side effects often develop:

abdominal pain;
convulsions;
diarrhea or diarrhea;
ulcers in the mucous layer of the digestive tract;
nausea and vomiting;
headache;
irritability;
depression;
problems with vision and hearing.

Characteristics of medications

The primary task in healing joints and muscles is to relieve pain and extinguish the inflammation process.

Most people who suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system are interested in the question - which is best for relieving pain and eliminating inflammation, Diclofenac or Voltaren? It is worth considering that the composition of the drugs is the same.

Voltaren and Diclofenac contain the same main active substance - diclofenac sodium, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves pain well.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal drug. This non-narcotic pain reliever is used for external and internal use for joint diseases, osteochondrosis and various pains.

Release form of Diclofenac, Voltaren:

coated pills that dissolve in the intestines
solutions in ampoules
candles
gel
ointment

Voltaren exhibits a pronounced analgesic and fever-lowering effect. The product is used to treat joint and muscle pain, osteochondrosis.

Both Voltaren and Diclofenac show the highest effectiveness in getting rid of unpleasant symptoms of injury and disease of the musculoskeletal system. Diclofenac and Voltaren have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The instructions state that as a result of their use in the area of inflammation, pain, tissue swelling are eliminated, and the activity of the painful area is restored.

Indications for use:

connective tissue diseases
arthritis
muscle pain
arthrosis
post-traumatic illnesses
back pain
pain after surgery

Comparison of Diclofenac and Voltaren

To understand which medicine is better and more effective, you need to compare them.

Similarities

Diclofenac and Voltaren have much in common:

are monocomponent drugs;
their active ingredient is diclofenac sodium;
have the same contraindications and side effects;
method of application and dosage are identical;
the course of therapy does not exceed 1-1.5 weeks;
the injection is given once a day;
tablets are taken once a day;
external agents are applied 2-3 times a day.

What is the difference?

Voltaren is the trade name of the drug, which is produced by a Swiss company. Diclofenac is the international name for all drugs that contain the compound of the same name, which is the main component. They have almost the same release form, but there are differences: Diclofenac is also made in the form of eye drops, and Voltaren is in the form of a special patch.

What is more effective?

In the manufacture of Voltaren, high-quality raw materials are used, which makes it possible to obtain a drug with a more pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. High-quality cleaning of the main and additional components leads to fewer contraindications.

Voltaren injections differ from Diclofenac injections:

longer therapeutic effect;
higher absorption rate.

Cetyl alcohol is used in the manufacture of candles, so they have the same therapeutic effect. Voltaren ointment is more saturated, absorbs faster and reaches the inflammatory focus, eliminating pain. Diclofenac ointment is absorbed much more slowly and does not have a full effect on the diseased area.

While taking the tablets, the concentration of the drug required to relieve pain lasts longer when using Voltaren.

What's stronger?

It is difficult to say which drug is stronger - Diclofenac or Voltaren, since they have the same active ingredient, which effectively relieves inflammation. Both medications are prescribed for identical diseases, but Voltaren has a faster effect.

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Which is cheaper?

The average cost of Diclofenac is 60 rubles, Voltaren is 380 rubles.

Instructions for use

If there is no sensitivity to the ingredients, then it does not matter which is better - Diclofenac ointment or Voltaren cream. This is also true for other dosage forms of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Long-acting medications are recommended for patients with chronic diseases. It is enough to take one tablet to provide pain relief for the whole day. Slow, gradual release of the active ingredient causes less damage to the gastric mucosa.

Indications and contraindications

Treatment with Voltaren and Diclofenac is indicated for patients with pain of various locations. Tablets are used for myalgia, arthralgia, neuralgia. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs quickly cope with pain caused by caries, pulpitis, and dysmenorrhea.

But the main indications for use are the following pathologies:

osteochondrosis of the thoracic, cervical, lumbosacral;
rheumatoid, psoriatic arthritis;
osteoporosis, arthrosis;
synovitis, bursitis;
radiculitis, intercostal hernia.

NSAIDs are prescribed to patients during the rehabilitation stage after surgery or dislocations, bruises, or sprains.

Their use is strictly prohibited for patients with ulcers, hematopoietic disorders, or acute kidney diseases. Voltaren and Diclofenac are not used in the treatment of pregnant and breastfeeding women. An exception is ointments and gels approved for use in the 1st and 2nd trimesters. In therapeutic regimens for children under 6 years of age, drugs are included only according to vital signs.

Side effects

Voltaren is characterized by rapid transdermal and transepidermal absorption and uniform distribution in tissues. The Russian analogue also penetrates well into inflammatory foci and has an analgesic effect.

But with long-term use, it often exhibits side effects:

attacks of nausea, vomiting, increased gas formation;
pain in the epigastric region;
weakness, apathy, psycho-emotional instability;
changes in blood composition;
headaches, dizziness.

The use of local and systemic drugs can cause an allergic reaction. It manifests itself in redness and swelling of the skin, itching, and small rashes.

Directions for use and doses

Tablets, gels, rectal suppositories are not used for longer than 7-10 days due to the risk of side effects. The question of a long-term therapeutic course is decided only by the doctor. In this case, the patient’s blood condition is monitored throughout the treatment.

The doctor should also ask what is more effective - Voltaren or Diclofenac injections. In any case, they are administered once a day at a dose of 0.075 mg for 2 days.

To treat osteochondrosis and other joint pathologies, external agents are applied to the area of inflammation 2-3 times a day. Suppositories are inserted into the rectum after bowel movements 1-3 times during the day.

Which is better - Diclofenac or Voltaren?

Both products show good effectiveness, but if Diclofenac ointment is not suitable for the patient, it can be replaced with Voltaren gel. The latter remedy is absorbed faster and shows a more effective effect. It is more suitable if you need to eliminate discomfort in the lower back, neck, or back.

Voltaren is eliminated from the body more slowly, which means that it remains in the body much longer, providing a therapeutic effect. Therefore, for mild pain, it is recommended to choose Diclofenac, for severe pain, Voltaren.

What is the difference between the drugs?

If the products are absolutely identical in composition, then what is the difference between Voltaren and Diclofenac?

The first way the drugs may differ is the price. Russian medicines are much more affordable than their foreign counterparts.

Voltaren's price includes various duties and costs that are associated with the delivery of the medicine or its performance.

Also, the difference between Diclofenac and Voltaren lies in the manufacturer. Voltaren is produced in Switzerland, the product is considered the trade name under which the active component is produced. Diclofenac is an international name; the domestic analogue, which can be produced in various CIS countries, has a patent.

Release form - ointment

If we talk about what can replace Diclofenac ointment, then the well-known analogue Voltaren gel is best suited.

This drug is produced as an oily, non-dosed liquid, and Voltaren differs from Diclofenac not only in cost, but also in saturation. Voltaren is rapidly absorbed and passes into the inflamed area, therefore it exhibits a productive and effective effect. The drug is applied to the affected areas 4 times a day.

Thanks to this medicinal form, the active component quickly penetrates into the blood plasma and the diseased joint , which eliminates pain and speeds up the healing process. Diclofenac ointment is less expensive. Its composition is practically no different from Voltaren. But they have a different absorption process. Diclofenac is absorbed slowly and does not provide a more complete effect on the diseased area.

Therefore, there is no significant difference in the effects of medications. Although the foreign ointment Voltaren is characterized by more complete absorption into the tissue, which makes it possible to effectively cure a sore back and neck.

Injections

If we consider the drug in ampoules, then the medicine of imported diclofenac sodium has the highest level of purity. To achieve such a purity level, the drug will need to undergo extraordinary industrial purification, which involves separate costs for the manufacturer. If this is the case, then the Voltaren injection should not have an aggressive effect on the liver.

However, studies have been conducted that have shown that using diclofenac sodium leads to danger in the destruction of liver tissue and the appearance of infectious jaundice. Sometimes such a remedy can cause inflammation in the liver.

Therefore, Voltaren injections will be a good remedy and safer than using Diclofenac . It is also necessary to take into account that this advantage has not been established at the scientific level. In terms of effectiveness, Voltaren injections and Diclofenac injections are at an equal level.

It is important to note that it is better to administer diclofenac and voltaren injections after the prescription of a specialist and under his supervision. Which medication to choose in each individual situation must also be entrusted to the attending physician.

Tablet form of release

Voltaren and Diclofenac in the form of tablets have a prolonged action, which favors the slow release of the active substance, thereby providing the required therapeutic concentration in the circulatory system.

This makes it possible to reduce medication intake, especially for those people who must take pills for a long time.

Food slows down the absorption of the medicine, but does not interfere with it. Therefore, in order to achieve the fastest possible effect of the drugs, the tablet should be taken 30 minutes before meals.

If we compare both drugs in this form, then taking Voltaren, the concentration needed to alleviate the symptoms of the disease lasts longer . That is why the frequency of use of Voltaren tablets can be reduced, namely for those who suffer from chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Candles

A practical form of medication to use includes rectal suppositories, which have many advantages over pills or injections because they do not irritate the stomach and also have therapeutic efficacy.

For this reason, Voltaren suppositories containing diclofenac are often used not only for the treatment of neurological and traumatological diseases, but also for the treatment of gynecological and urological problems.

The therapeutic effectiveness of the drug is slower compared to tablets and injections.

Diclofenac suppositories are most effective for pain that is inflammatory in nature . Like all NSAIDs, the drug exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.

Comparing Voltaren with Diclofenac, we can conclude that both medications have the same effect on the human body, are made from high-quality raw materials and are characterized by high efficiency. But certain features of Voltaren make it possible to call it a more effective remedy.

Patient reviews

Mikhail, 54 years old, Moscow: “I suffer from sore joints, so the doctor recommended purchasing Voltaren gel. Only he helped get rid of the pain syndrome. I recently purchased Diclofenac ointment, because it is much cheaper, but this drug did not relieve the pain well, so I gave it up.”

Marina, 49 years old, Samara: “Several years ago I developed cervical osteochondrosis, which often bothers me. The doctor prescribed Voltaren, but I saw cheaper Diclofenac on sale and bought it. It helped immediately after the first use. It is absorbed well and does not cause irritation to the skin.”

Reviews from doctors about Diclofenac and Voltaren

Alexander, arthrologist, St. Petersburg: “Diclofenac is effective for many diseases, but I prescribe it to my patients with caution, because it has many contraindications and side effects. Voltaren is an imported analogue with an identical active ingredient. There is no big difference between these drugs, but Voltaren is more effective, so I prescribe it more often.”

Dmitry, arthrologist, Kaliningrad: “I prescribe both Diclofenac and Voltaren to my patients. At the same time, I take into account the indications, contraindications and the likelihood of side effects, as well as the financial capabilities of the patient, since the price of Voltaren is higher. These medicines are almost the same, so I don’t give preference to any one of them.”

Limitations and side effects

Apparently, with the same composition, Voltaren and Diclofenac will have similar limitations and side effects. As you know, all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are identical in this regard. And there is no difference in the consequences that arise from incorrect use and choice of dose.

Contraindications to the use of Voltaren and Diclofenac:

children under 6 years of age.
allergy to the drug.
last trimester of pregnancy.
individual intolerance.

Diclofenac is also contraindicated if there is:

stomach ulcer, intestinal ulcer
liver disease
renal failure
bleeding
asthma
stroke

Side effects occur when the dose is exceeded or when medication is used incorrectly.

Taking Voltaren and Diclofenac, the following appear:

headache
loss of appetite
nausea
vomit
allergy
irritability

Overdose after taking Diclofenac also manifests itself:

hair loss
decreased blood clotting
kidney disease
ringing in the ears
change in breathing
loss of sleep
visions
nervousness

Both Voltaren and Diclofenac are harmless to the body as a whole.