Does Voltaren Gel work for gout?
Many people find Voltaren Gel an effective way to relieve symptoms of gout, such as pain and swelling, and it is very fast acting. However, topical preparations such as Voltaren gel may not last as long as oral anti-inflammatories, such as diclofenac or ibuprofen. They will also not treat the underlying cause of gout, which is high uric acid levels. Not everybody has experienced relief with topical Voltaren gel, and if your pain persists, you should talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about alternative treatments.
Permeability of the active component of the gel (which is diclofenac) through the skin is an important factor and this may explain why some people find Voltaren gel and similar products effective, and others don’t. One study found a wide variation between different products with the Gout Buster formulation of diclofenac proving the best at penetrating the skin, which may increase its effectiveness.
References
- Hooper MW, He L. Testing Topical Products Specifically to Reduce Inflammatory Pain from Gout: Transdermal NSAID Delivery and Monosodium Urate Solubility. J Pain Res. 2022;15:1825-1835 https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S367536
Read next
Can I take ibuprofen with blood pressure medications?
Be careful when taking ibuprofen with blood pressure medicines because the combination may cause serious kidney damage in some people, particularly older adults or people who are dehydrated. The risk is higher if you also take a diuretic (water pill), in addition to your blood pressure medications. People taking blood pressure medications AND diuretics should avoid taking ibuprofen. If you take blood pressure medications, then you should always talk to your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen. Do not just buy it from a supermarket or drug store without telling your healthcare provider you are taking it. This is so that they can monitor the effects it has on your kidneys. Ibuprofen can also counteract the effects of blood pressure medications, so your healthcare provider will need to check your blood pressure regularly as well. Continue reading
Is meloxicam very similar to Celebrex?
At lower doses, meloxicam is more similar to Celebrex (celecoxib) than it is to other NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, because it is relatively selective for the COX-2 enzyme. But at higher doses, even within the prescribed range, meloxicam can inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which may lead to side effects like stomach ulcers or bleeding. COX-2 selectivity is a dose-related effect. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Why is diclofenac prescription only but ibuprofen is OTC?
- How Can I Treat Muscle Strain or Pain?
- Can you use Topical Medications to Treat Arthritis Pain?
- Which painkiller should you use?
- Can NSAIDs be used to treat a COVID-19 fever?
- Does the drug diclofenac have narcotics in it?
- My uric acid is 7.0. Is this harmful? How can I control this?
- What is Proxalin-Plus used for?
- Is meloxicam helpful in gout treatment?
- What is the difference between Andexxa and Praxbind?
- How much does Zurampic cost?
- What drugs are contained in Duzallo?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Voltaren (55 questions, 77 members)
- Voltaren Gel (40 questions, 89 members)
- Gout (54 questions, 174 members)
