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Diclofenac for Sciatica User Reviews

Brand names: Voltaren, Cataflam, Cambia, Lofena, Zipsor Zorvolex

Diclofenac has an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 from a total of 32 reviews for the treatment of Sciatica. 63% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 16% reported a negative experience.

Diclofenac rating summary

7.3/10 average rating

32 ratings from 32 user reviews.

Compare all 77 medications used in the treatment of Sciatica.

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28%
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25%
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9%
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6%
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13%
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3%
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16%

Reviews for Diclofenac

  • Charles
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 10, 2020

Voltaren (diclofenac) "I’ve been struggling with sciatica for almost a decade. Voltaren is fine but I think I've found even a better one. It's called Acuraflex. I've just ordered it so it will come in a few days. I've seen that it has some good ingredients so I think it will be maybe even better than voltaren. Has anyone tried it yet? cheers"

8 / 10
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135 Report
  • Dylan
  • July 8, 2021

"I have had sciatic pain for 20 years now @ 44 years old I have finally found this drug and it worked wonders in 50mg dose. I would be hobbling around like a senior without it and I only need a 2 a day for a couple of days and I’m back to normal. This works for me. I would say try it if you want to get your life back. I wouldn’t wish sciatica pain on anyone it can ruin your life."

9 / 10
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78 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 2, 2013

Voltaren (diclofenac) "I have 4 lumbar discs bulging, however the L5-S1 is impinging on my nerve root. Complete pain, couldn't stand, couldn't walk, couldn't sit, etc. I was in misery. Finally, they put me on something other than ibuprofen, and it was Voltaren generic! It took about 1 week to kick in and work, but I honestly can say I take this in the morning along with my muscle relaxer and gabapentin, and I am pain-free and gained back 6 hours of my life! It only works for me so far for 6 hours, and by the time I can take the next dosage, I am back in the worst pain ever. Hopefully, every day I can gain a little bit more than 6 hours of my life back!"

6 / 10
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155 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • anony...
  • January 25, 2019

Voltaren (diclofenac) "If you apply the ointment/gel cover it up with a piece Saranwrap - no need to wait for it to dry and it can incubate that way without anybody noticing. Try to do this when you feel the first signs of sciatica...that'll do the trick."

10 / 10
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86 Report
  • Ned
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 13, 2020

"I have tried many drug combinations over the years. Some were...”ok,” and some didn’t do a thing for my Sciatica. Then my VA doctor put me on Diclofenac, among with GabapentIn. I can honestly say this stuff works for me! It’s doesn’t take the pain away 100%...but enough to live my life again."

8 / 10
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49 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Hondo...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 26, 2020

"I have had sciatica for years now (age 66) and I have experimented with many drugs. My physician has me on 75 mg dose of diclofenac twice a day. I can't tell the difference between one or two pills a day, but if I stop taking pills completely, the pain is very unpleasant. So this does help, but I have to stop and take a break several times during my two mile walks each day. That allows the pain and numbness to temporarily get better in my butt and legs. Muscle relaxants are scary as they leave me zoned out and unsafe to drive and they don't always take away the pain. This generic for voltaren is the best thing yet I've tried that has the least amount of side effects."

6 / 10
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48 Report
  • Tracee
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 12, 2012

"I have suffered with Sciatica since I was in a snowmachine accident when I was 15...that was 13 years ago. I just started on this medication this year and I can't beleive how wonderful it works. Instead of being bed ridden for 3-5 days, I can take this pill a bit before bed and I am 80% better in the morning."

9 / 10
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62 Report

More FAQ

  • mikey
  • December 21, 2017

"I had the worst sciatica pain down both legs, now after two 75 mg tablets of delayed release Diclofenac Sodium daily, after 2 weeks all the pain is gone! Its a miracle and it also helps my migraine headaches and back problems too many to mention here."

10 / 10
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35 Report
  • ibman
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 25, 2018

"Absolutely life changing. I’m 22 year old with sciatic pain and back pain. Keeps pain very very manageable, and allows me to live a relatively normal life. Don’t know what I’d do without it. I do worry about long term consequences, such as cardiac risks, stomach ulcers but for now cost is highly outweighed by the benefit. Best is 50mg dispersible tablets for rapid relief, or 75mg slow release every 12 hours for day to day relief."

9 / 10
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26 Report
  • TerryP
  • September 14, 2014

"I was prescribed 50mg twice a day. I felt really good after 2 days. Went back to spin class (lightly) and light cycling. Then I felt good and did an elliptical. My Dr never told me to refrain from working out. After 26 years it's a hard habit to break. So I am in week 3. If I stand too long Sciatica returns. Some walks are good. He is doing this for 3 months. I hope it helps. I don't want cortisone injections."

7 / 10
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33 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 31, 2019

"I'm only 36 and I can't walk more than 20 yards without wanting to sit down due to the pain from my sciatica. Diclofenac does nothing for me at all. I told the VA I take around 3000mg a day in ibuprofen and it doesn't do anything for me then they gave this garbage medication thinking it would help paired with baclofen 10 mg BID. As I type this I feel so sleepy from the over recommended baclofen dosage and I'm still in pain. That's the VA for you"

1 / 10
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16 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 18, 2009

"My GP tried me on several combinations of drugs combined with Ibuprofen over a 6 week period for Sciatica. Not until the Ibuprofen was substituted with Diclofenac did I get any signs of improvement. Taken with Omeprazole I have had no side effects."

9 / 10
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35 Report
  • Ella
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 20, 2020

"I've suffered and tried everything without help until I tried Voltaren 1% emulgel. I put it from the lower back, along the nerve and to the heel. The first time took a week to work with twice daily application. After that I am careful to use it as soon as the flare starts so I nip it in a day or two. I got greedy and tried the stronger version - did not work. A doctor prescribed an even stronger one to be made in a pharmacy and that made me sick in one application. Now that it is readily available where I live I stick to the 1% gel and say praise to who ever created it...this is an off label application, I am not a doctor and it did not work for my husband. I have fewer flare ups now but I also had a Shockwave treatment that helped me a couple years ago... again it did not work for my husband so stay safe and may you find what works for you."

9 / 10
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12 Report
  • Harbo...
  • April 18, 2021

Voltaren (diclofenac) "May help a little with sciatic nerve injury, and with arthritis, but after struggling for years to find the cause of severe rhinitis, stopped Voltaren, and now no sinus problems whatsoever. I have a reaction to all oral pain meds, and now Voltaren also. Cannot rate for others benefit because of my own reaction."

4 / 10
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9 Report
  • silve...
  • November 17, 2009

"My sister had terrible side effects with this medicine. Rapid heartbeat, sweating, tingling arms and legs, itching, burning of her skin. She changed all laundry products and body soaps looking for relief."

1 / 10
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21 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 22, 2009

Voltaren (diclofenac) "Works for osteoarthritis and sciatica."

9 / 10
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140 Report
  • reemooo
  • September 7, 2016

Voltaren (diclofenac) "i have sciatica since i was 15.......hounestly i take tramadol sometimes...and it doesn't work !!!.... voltaren is good to keep the pain within acceptable limits...but it doesn't eliminate it."

6 / 10
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71 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 3, 2012

Voltaren (diclofenac) "This medicine gave me back my life. Finally pain free after twenty years of low back pain from car accident."

10 / 10
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91 Report
  • cleve...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 8, 2015

"I have tried a lot of different NSAIDs and this is a miracle. I moved back up north where weather is colder, causing my sciatica to flare up more often. Been on this 6 months and so glad I am."

10 / 10
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49 Report
  • Claire...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 21, 2016

"I suffered with sciatica for about 4 years , I tried P.T, pain meds and nothing worked until i tried Diclofenac 50mg. no more pain meds for me whoop whoop!"

10 / 10
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41 Report
  • SUSH
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 15, 2019

"Voltaren (diclofenac) it helped to treat my mother's Sciatica problem."

9 / 10
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26 Report
  • Anonymous
  • June 26, 2012

Voltaren (diclofenac) "This medicine works pretty well, but in gel form it is messy and takes a long time to dry. "

6 / 10
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48 Report
  • Anony...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 8, 2018

"Worked like charm. I took only 1 tablet and after 2 hours the pain disappeared for good. Was amazing!"

10 / 10
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26 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 10, 2009

Voltaren-XR (diclofenac) "I thought it was a placebo until I tried not taking it. It is a miracle drug that worked for me in 2 doses."

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 20, 2014

Cataflam (diclofenac) "This medicine worked great for many years however, after 6 years I had to get a new medications."

7 / 10
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23 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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