Voltaren Gel-FDA warning

Wow - thanks for the warning. My husband just picked up a case from the pharmacy an Thursday. He got hurt at work a few weeks ago and the doc just prescribed Valtaren Gel for the pain and inflammation in his leg.

My husband has only used it a few times and planned to start applying it regularly this weekend to see if helped with the discomfort and swelling. He's not in enough pain to risk liver problems. I am really glad workman's comp picked up the $185.00 for this stuff.

I just read the new FDA warning and it's scary because apparently this med can destroy your liver in the first month of treatment. Nope, my husband can take Motrin, that's as scary as I need right now.

Straydog, I can't thank you enough. I researched this drug last week before the FDA warning came out so who knows when we would have found out about it. I'm curious as to whether the prescribing doctor will call about it or test my husband's liver enzymes next week during the follow up visit.

Yikes!!! I've been using the stuff for a couple months now on my knees, hands, feet, shoulders and sometimes neck, hip and back!!! It seems every time I try a new anti inflamitory something bad happens! It has worked so well especially on my knees & hands I should have known!! I'll stop using it for now!!

So I guess I'll be needing another blood test or do they suggest some other lab test? Like Rosanna Danna used to say on the old SNL back in the 70's >> "It's allways something!"
Thanks for the heads up!!

Pete

Straydog,

Can you post the FDA WEBSITE please , i cannot see to find it.
I would like to read over it.
Thankyou
Cheers
Leisa

Oh my goodness, thank you susie

If you are using it for a chronic condition, and especially if it's helping, you may want to talk to your doc before discontinuing it. The warnings on most meds are scary so we always need to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks. So many meds can damage the liver but we take them anyway (Tylenol.) It's difficult to gauge the risk for your particular situation based on the FDA information, your doctor can help.

At least with this drug, you can just stop using it until you talk to your doc. It's scarier when they release info like this on a med that you can't just stop taking.

(We chose to have my husband stop using it immediately. He has a relatively minor injury that can be treated with other meds. In his case the risks far outweigh the benefits.)

Thanks Susie!
I think it's so strange that the oral Voltaren has warnings, but apparently the gel form is less clear. Still, though, I have always had my liver checked a couple times a year since cirrhosis is VERY prevalent in my family history (8 relatives died from it, including one who didn't drink a day in her life). I've been on Voltaren gel for 2 years & haven't ever had any problems with my liver (& I also take Lyrica). My PM said it depends on how large the area is over which it is applied, how much is applied & how often it is applied, in addition to what other medications (prescription or OTC) are being taken, alcohol consumption, smoking & any predisposition/genetic factors.
I'm always in favor of everyone having all the information about medications. Still, risk of any liver issues (mild to severe) resulting from Voltaren was measured at 2% of patients. The manufacturer says that using Voltaren together with anti-epileptics or antibiotics is riskier than Voltaren alone. I agree that it is important to be careful & if someone is feeling very sick on this medication they need to go straight to the doctor or ER, but like Dagger points out ... the other options may be as bad or worse. I get concerned when people decide to stop a medication without discussing it with their doctor. I know from my own experience that when I have done this is the past, it usually leads to more injections & sometimes stronger meds like Torodol (which can cause death from bleeding in just over a week -- which is much riskier for me, since I am slow to clot).
The FDA site gives less information that the manufacturer's site (which, at least presently, discloses the risk of hepatoxicity after only one month of use & recommends testing liver function every 4-8 weeks of treatment). Here's the link to both the manufacturer's website & the FDA:

http://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/safetyinformation/safetyalertsforhumanmedicalproducts/ucm193047.htm
take care all,
frances

I used this regularly too.... thanks for the scoop!

Absolutely good advice, Straydog. I will not stop using Voltaren gel until I talk it over with my doctor. I doubt she will see the need to do so, as I don't use it every day or even nearly that frequently.

Thanks for the good advice. And thanks for the update too.

Lindaloo

I don't use voltaren, but I do know that a lot of the meds we take can affect the liver. My neurologist checks my liver enzymes at least once/year, along with a general CBC. One of the boxes circled as to need for this is that I'm on multiple medications long term. He did it even when I was only taking my seizure meds. So yes, as Susie says, check with your doctor, and if it's one of the things that's really helping you, maybe you just need your doctor to follow your liver enzymes regularly. A lot of us probably need that anyway, but I'm only basing that on my experience. It's just an educated guess.

PaLady

I've been using this too and it does seem to help some but lately I'm starting to itch on my hands a few minutes after using it so I had decided not to refill and to just us it if absolutely necessary. Thanks for the heads up!