Diclofenac Epolamine
What is DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
(DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE) Diclofenac patches are used to relieve pain from various conditions (such as sprained ankle). This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). If you are treating a chronic condition such as arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section.
How should I use DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using diclofenac and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. The patch comes in a resealable envelope. When opening the envelope for the first time, cut it open as instructed. Remove a patch from the envelope and reseal the envelope. It is important to reseal the envelope after each opening, or the remaining patches will not stick correctly. Before applying the patch, remove the clear liner. Apply the patch to the skin to cover the most painful area. Do not apply the patch on burns, cuts, or irritated skin (such as eczema). Use the patch as directed by your doctor. Depending on your product, the patch is usually changed every 12 or 24 hours. Follow the directions carefully. Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together, and discard out of reach of children and pets. If the patch begins to peel off, you may tape the edges to the skin. Do not wear the patch during bathing or showering. Take baths/showers at times that you normally change the patch. To avoid getting the medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vaginal area, wash your hands after handling the patch. If the medication or patch does come in contact with those areas, flush with plenty of water. Contact your doctor right away if irritation lasts Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce side effect risks (such as stomach bleeding), use this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible length of time. Do not increase your dose or use it more often than prescribed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor or pharmacist. If you are using this drug "as needed" (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medicine may not work as well. Tell your doctor if your pain lasts or gets worse.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
Before using diclofenac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin; or to other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), stomach/intestine problems (such as bleeding, ulcers), liver disease, heart disease (such as history of heart attack), high blood pressure, stroke, swelling (edema, water retention), blood disorders (such as anemia, bleeding/clotting problems), growths in the nose (nasal polyps). Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of NSAID medications, including diclofenac. Problems are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to prevent dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have a change in the amount of urine. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you are going to have an MRI test, tell testing personnel that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI. Ask your doctor whether you will need to remove your patch before the test and apply a new patch afterward, and how to do so properly. This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco may increase your risk for stomach bleeding, especially when combined with this medicine. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Older adults may be at greater risk for stomach/intestinal bleeding, kidney problems, heart attack, and stroke while using this drug. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. This medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal labor/delivery. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy from 20 weeks until delivery. If your doctor decides that you need to use this medication between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. You should not use this medication after 30 weeks of pregnancy. This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
What may interact with DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: aliskiren, ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril), angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan, valsartan), cidofovir, corticosteroids (such as prednisone), lithium, methotrexate, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide). This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when used with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, or ketorolac). These drugs are similar to diclofenac and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has told you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor tells you not to. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
What should I watch for while using DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including diclofenac) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. This effect can happen at any time while using this drug but is more likely if you use it for a long time. The risk may be greater in older adults or if you have heart disease or increased risk for heart disease (for example, due to smoking, family history of heart disease, or conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes). Do not use this drug right before or after heart bypass surgery (CABG). Also, this drug may rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. This effect can occur without warning symptoms at any time while using this drug. Older adults may be at higher risk for this effect. Stop using diclofenac and get medical help right away if you notice any of these rare but serious side effects: stomach/abdominal pain that doesn't go away, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, confusion, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes.
What if I miss a dose of DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
If you are prescribed this drug on a regular schedule (not just "as needed") and you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
What side effects may I notice from receiving DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
See also Warning section. Itching, burning, irritation, redness, or dry skin may occur at the application site. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain). This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including: nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Where should I keep DICLOFENAC EPOLAMINE?
Store patches in the envelope at room temperature. Always reseal envelope after opening. The patches expire after a certain amount of time after the envelope is first opened. Check the product packaging for more details. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.