Voltaren Dispers
definition
Voltaren Dispers® is a prescription drug from the manufacturer Novartisthat has an anti-pain and anti-inflammatory effect. These are soluble tablets that are dissolved in water, stirred and then drunk. It is best taken with a meal.
The effect
The active ingredient in Voltaren Dispers® is called diclofenac. Diclofenac is one of the NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). These inhibit the formation of prostaglandins, so-called pain and inflammation mediators, which are important messenger substances in pain and inflammation processes. Diclofenac or Voltaren Dispers® has an anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory), fever-lowering (antipyretic) and analgesic (analgesic) effect. The addition "dispers" means something like "scattered, distributed" and indicates that it is a tablet that dissolves in water. In this regard, Voltaren Dispers® is particularly suitable for older people who have difficulty swallowing tablets.
The active ingredient diclofenac is mainly broken down in the liver and excreted in the urine.
The areas of application
Voltaren Dispers® is used for moderate pain and inflammation. These include, for example, pain or inflammation after injuries or operations. After operations, however, especially after major blood losses, normal kidney function should be ensured before Voltaren Dispers® can be administered.
Voltaren Dispers® is also used for various painful joint diseases. On the one hand, this includes activated osteoarthritis, which can be seen as a degenerative sign of wear and tear on the joints that has become secondarily inflamed. In addition, acute or chronic arthritis (inflammatory joint diseases) can be treated with Voltaren Dispers®. But even an acute attack of gout can be treated with Voltaren Dispers®. Gout is a metabolic disease that occurs in flares and manifests itself as painful attacks in the joints. This is caused by the deposition of small gout crystals (urates) in the joints.
Furthermore, Voltaren Dispers® can be used in the treatment of painful spinal syndromes or ankylosing spondylitis (Ankylosing spondylitis) can be used.
Voltaren Dispers® can also be prescribed for severe menstrual cramps, as well as for various inflammatory gynecological diseases.
For headaches
In the manufacturer's insert, Voltaren Dispers® is not explicitly recommended for use in the case of headaches. The active ingredient diclofenac works particularly well with inflammatory pain such as joint pain. As a pain medication, Voltaren Dispers® can also provide relief from headaches, but is not specifically designed for this. In addition, Voltaren Dispers® requires a prescription and should only be taken for the reason for which the doctor prescribed the drug (application areas see above).
Ibuprofen and aspirin help with occasional, habitual tension headaches (ASS) usually better than Voltaren Dispers® and are freely available in pharmacies. Those who suffer from frequent and severe headaches should have the cause clarified by a doctor. The doctor will prescribe a suitable medication if necessary.
For toothache
In the case of toothache, taking Voltaren Dispers® behaves similarly to headache. Toothache is not listed by the manufacturer as an area of application for Voltaren Dispers®, which of course does not mean that Voltaren Dispers® as a pain reliever does not also help against toothache. Here, too, Voltaren Dispers® should only be used as a prescription drug for the purpose specified by the doctor when tendering the prescription.
It goes without saying that a dentist should be consulted if the toothache persists. He or she can recommend a suitable pain reliever for a few days.
Read more on this topic at: Pain relievers for toothache
The dosage
The dosage and duration of the intake of Voltaren Dispers® should always be strictly according to the doctor's instructions. One tablet contains 50 mg of diclofenac sodium, the recommended daily dose is between 50 and 150 mg per day, divided into 1 to 3 doses. It is recommended for adults over 18 years of age; Voltaren Dispers® is not recommended for younger children and adolescents due to the inability to dose. The daily dose depends on the severity of the disease. Unless otherwise prescribed, you should start taking Voltaren Dispers® with three tablets each. As a result, the dosage can be reduced as required.
If a particularly rapid onset of action is desired, Voltaren Dispers® can be taken before meals. Especially in patients with stomach problems such as heartburn, Voltaren Dispers® should not be taken on an empty stomach. It is therefore more advisable to take it during or after a meal.
If the desired pain relief cannot be achieved with the dose prescribed by the doctor, you should refrain from increasing the dose yourself. In this case, be sure to contact your doctor, who can adjust the dose or choose a more effective pain reliever.
If the maximum daily dose is accidentally exceeded, a variety of symptoms can occur. Central nervous disorders such as headache, dizziness or clouding of consciousness are possible, as well as abdominal pain, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or a drop in blood pressure.
In the case of very severe poisoning, acute kidney failure and liver damage can occur. If an overdose is suspected, the doctor should be notified, who can assess the severity of the poisoning and take the necessary measures.
The duration of the application
The duration of treatment, as well as the dosage, is determined by the doctor. In any case, Voltaren Dispers® is a short-term drug that should not be taken for longer than 2 weeks. The reason for this is mainly the side effects that the drug causes in the gastrointestinal tract when taken for a long time. Long-term use can lead to serious complications such as stomach ulcers or bleeding.
If an illness makes long-term use of painkillers necessary, alternative medication or other forms of administration can be used.
The side effects
How often and to what extent side effects occur depends on the dose and duration of use. Therefore, the smallest possible effective dose should always be taken over the shortest possible period.
First of all, general complaints such as tiredness, dizziness or headaches can occur when taking Voltaren Dispers®. The active ingredient diclofenac is what is known as cyclooxygenase inhibited, an enzyme that controls the release of pain and inflammatory messengers (e.g. Prostaglandins) inhibits and thus mediates the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effect. Since this cyclooxygenase is also localized in the gastric mucosa, the production of prostaglandins, which protect the gastric mucosa from aggressive gastric acid, is inhibited there too.
The result is numerous side effects in the gastrointestinal area, from abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting to stomach cramps, loss of appetite and flatulence. It can also lead to stomach ulcers, bleeding and inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
Voltaren Dispers® is broken down by the liver, so that liver damage can occur, especially with long-term use of high doses. Damage to the kidneys with partial loss of function can also occur with long-term use. Side effects such as anemia (anemia), Spasms of the bronchi with shortness of breath, tendency to bleed or high pressure and heart attacks have been observed.
Read more on the topic: Voltaren side effects.
The contraindications
Voltaren Dispers® must not be used if hypersensitivity to the active ingredient diclofenac or other ingredients is known. This can be represented by reactions such as bronchial spasms, asthma, rhinitis (runny nose) or urticaria (hives) after taking other NSAIDs or Aspirin® (ASA). The intake is also contraindicated in the case of unexplained blood formation disorders, active bleeding and repeated gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding.
In the case of severe liver or kidney dysfunction and in the last third of pregnancy, Voltaren Dispers® must not be taken, nor by children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Voltaren Dispers® must also not be taken in the case of heart failure, coronary heart disease, peripheral occlusive disease or cerebrovascular diseases (affecting the vessels of the brain).
The price
Voltaren Dispers® are prescription tablets, which means that the tablets can only be obtained from a pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor.
With a private prescription, 30 tablets are available for around 15 euros. If the doctor prescribes the medication to a person with statutory health insurance, an additional payment is due in some cases. Depending on the case, this amounts to approximately half the price.
For example, children and young people under the age of 18 or pregnant women who receive drugs during pregnancy are exempt from co-payment.
Is there Voltaren Dispers® available without a prescription?
Voltaren dispers® requires a prescription and can therefore not be purchased without a prescription. A non-prescription alternative with a similar active ingredient is a pain medication with the active ingredient ibuprofen. However, both Voltaren dispers® and similar painkillers should only be taken on a doctor's prescription and for a limited period of time.
Can I take Voltaren Dispers® at the same time as other medication?
Since Voltaren Dispers® can interact with other medications, the attending physician should be informed about the use of any other medication, even if these are over the counter.
Voltaren Dispers® can, on the one hand, increase the levels in the blood of digoxin (to increase heart strength) or lithium (for depression), on the other hand, it can weaken the effect of antihypertensive and dehydrating drugs (diuretics). There are also known interactions with blood-thinning drugs and many other vital drugs.
How relevant these interactions are depends on various influences and the individual risk of the patient, which can be assessed by the doctor.
Voltaren Dispers® and alcohol
You should refrain from drinking alcohol while taking Voltaren Dispers®, as this may increase the side effects. This is mainly due to the fact that Voltaren Dispers®, like alcohol, is broken down in the liver. If large amounts of alcohol are consumed while ingestion, the liver can be damaged. This liver damage can range up to inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) with jaundice (jaundice).
It also mainly affects side effects that affect the gastrointestinal tract or the central nervous system. For example, the simultaneous consumption of alcohol and Voltaren Dispers® can irritate the gastric mucous membrane, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, digestive problems and even the formation of a stomach ulcer. In the worst case, it can even lead to an organ rupture and internal bleeding.
Common side effects such as headache, dizziness, or drowsiness are aggravated by alcohol consumption. In general, regardless of the preparation, alcohol should be avoided as far as possible while taking pain medication.
Read more on the topic: Voltaren and alcohol - are they compatible?
What is the difference to Voltaren Resinat®?
The main difference between Voltaren Dispers® and Voltaren Resinat® is the dosage form. While Voltaren Dispers® is dissolved in a glass of water and then drunk, Voltaren Resinat® is in the form of tablets that are swallowed whole with a sip of water. However, the active ingredient diclofenac is contained in both products. Voltaren Resinat® is often more likely to prescribe.
Voltaren Dispers® is, however, particularly suitable for patients who are unable or not very well able to swallow whole tablets. The usual dosage of Voltaren Resinat® for adults is one to a maximum of two tablets a day. Voltaren Dispers® can be taken a maximum of three times a day. For both drugs, however, they should always be taken in accordance with the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist and for a limited period of time.
