Volterol

[KelliEAnniE]

I just used some volterol on my knee and after ten minutes I washed it off as I looked on internet should not be used with blood thinners is this unlikely to have caused an issue

[Stentrunner]

I was told using the gels and creams wasn’t a problem, and I’ve used both Ibuprofen and Diclofenac (Voltarol) for muscle and joint pain. I’m on Edoxaban.

No tablets or capsules though.

[KelliEAnniE in reply to Stentrunner]

thanks for replying got worried when I read that good to know you didn't have a problem with it and it'morning now and I'm still here 🙂🙂

[KelliEAnniE in reply to Stentrunner]

thanks for replying

[Frankers in reply to Stentrunner]

I’m on apixiban and was advised not to take ibuprofen or any topical creams such as voltarol

[ParrotY in reply to Stentrunner]

I have been prescribed Pradaxa for atrial fibrillation and ibuprofen for pericarditis - the hospital did stop the diclofenac/voltaren that I was using for arthritis relief though. I've been on the ibuprofen/Pradaxa combo for a couple of months now without keeling over. There's nothing in the Pradaxa packet insert about it.

[BobD Volunteer]

I ws told by my doctor that used sparingly there was no problem with gels as so little gets into your blood.

[KelliEAnniE in reply to BobD]

oh that's good to know thankyou

[Camelia23 in reply to BobD]

Same here. About 3 years ago I twisted my knee in a foolish yoga move. I had quite a lot of bleeding under my skin so it looked ghastly. I hadn't taken any medication. GP checked it then said I was more susceptible to bleeding while taking Apixaban so had to be cautious. When my joints played up I knew I couldn't take anti inflammatory tablets but GP said I could use voltarol or similar lotion. Have done with no issues so don't worry about using it.

[KelliEAnniE in reply to Camelia23]

oh thanks that's good to know my knee not too bad now I was exercising and decided to make it harder I put leg weights on my ankle then proceeded to do leg lifts silly me 😊😊

[pottypete1]

Using Volterol in this way is not going to have any significant effect. I asked my doctor the same question when I was prescribed the even stronger version of this topic product.

Obviously if you were to use it extensively and very regularly it might be significant.

I am not medically trained so perhaps ask your pharmacist or GP to confirm.

Peter

[KelliEAnniE in reply to pottypete1]

thanks for your reply

[Finvola]

My husband takes Apixaban and was told by his cardiologist that Piroxicam gel used on his arthritic knees was safe.

[KelliEAnniE in reply to Finvola]

thanks for that helpful reply

[bantam12]

I use it regularly for my bad back, no problems.

[KelliEAnniE]

thanks that's reassuring to know

[wilsond]

It is safe used externally. It is when taken in tablet form ie via the stomach that problems can occur.I have the higher strength version on prescription for chronic back pain and have for several years. I use it most days

[Tapanac in reply to wilsond]

My husband has terrible back pain and sometimes can hardly walk. He’s not on any anticoagulants and has tried do many pills, may I ask what you take for your back please?

Thsnk you

Pat

[wilsond in reply to Tapanac]

I was prescribed tramadol and diazepam but unfortunately neither were tolerated.I have arthritis in the 5 lumbar vertebrae and a small cyst on right hip joint identified in Jan 24.

Currently fighting GP for referral to specialist ( have had 3 rounds of physio at hospital over the last 18 months)

[Tapanac in reply to wilsond]

Oh dear I feel for you. My poor hubby must have spent a fortune on physio all no good. As he has a bad heart he lives on paracetamol as that is the only painkiller GP recommends for him, but again no good

I do hope you find relief sometime soon.

Thank you for letting me know.

All the best

Pat

[KelliEAnniE]

that's brilliant news good to know thank you

[sherrydine]

My husband is under Doctors Care and there is no problem

[KelliEAnniE in reply to sherrydine]

thanks so much I was so worried last night when I put it on

[sherrydine in reply to KelliEAnniE]

Glad to be able to help.

[Gincalpe]

it increases the chances of bleeding so is not recommended if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners). Paracetamol is safe.

[opal11uk]

It states that on a lot of rubs and I believe it is to safeguard the company more than anything but give your pharmacist a ring they can advise.

[JillyBeau]

Holland & Barrett do a magnesium spray for joint inflammation #go natural.

[KelliEAnniE in reply to JillyBeau]

oh I didn't know that thanks a lot

[Ppiman]

Online clinical evidence suggests that diclofenac gel is generally safe except where there is a history of internal bleeding, such as peptic ulcer and bowel disease. Of course, these might not be known about, so I would still use it under doctor's orders but be vigilant.

Steve

[Singwell]

It can't impact the venous system as it's external so I can't think why they've said this. Unless they're worried about people seeing what looks like a bruise or swelling but it might be an internal bleed? That's the only thing I can think of.

[Singwell]

I remember my GP talking about it being safe for me to increase my topical HRT as it doesn't cross the 'brain blood barrier'. I don't see how a topical form of Voltatol could cross the barrier either.

"The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selective semi-permeable membrane between the blood and the interstitium of the brain, allowing cerebral blood vessels to regulate molecule and ion movement between the blood and the brain."

So alcohol for example, and orally taken meds DO cross the barrier, but it looks like topical applications do not.

[Rockcake]

Hi, I’m on the anticoagulant Edoxaban too (like Stentrunner) and have rubbed Voltarol gel on my lower legs a few times, no problem.

[pusillanimous]

What is the situation with Arnica? I sometimes use it as a rub on my hand and can it be taken by mouth?

[Blearyeyed in reply to pusillanimous]

You shouldn't take Arnica orally on anticoagulants or antiplatelet and blood thinners because it does have an effect on bleeding time.As Arnica brings out any bruising very quickly and deeply if you use it on a knock or bruise as a lotion you may bruise more severely.

I used to use Arnica but don't now .

[pusillanimous in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you - can I use ordinary Deep Heat on my sore thumb joint?

[Blearyeyed in reply to pusillanimous]

Deep Heat contains salicylate, so it depends on which medications you take .It's not recommended with warfarin and other blood thinners or for people taking aspirin or other anticoagulants.

It will also increase the potential bleeding time or bruising , at least in the area that the ointment is being on.

What is wrong with your thumb?

There may be better options for different problems.

Have you tried ice , or cold compresses or a standard dose of paracetamol if it's causing you pain and it's an injury.

If it's an arthritis like condition , I mentioned a recommended ointment called Flexiseq that relieves joint pain and stiffness, It's expensive but it goes a long way and patients and nurses on arthritis forums recommend it as well.

[pusillanimous in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you- it really is not terribly painful, it just become a little bit sore from use-I have never had to take an oral painkiller for it or had a diagnosis. It probably is just wear and tear (I'm 81) or a touch of arthritis - I do have degeneration of the lumber region as do many people of my age, but it seldom bothers me. I take Xarelto or iXorolo as it's called here in South Africa- exactly the same manufacturer and packaging except for the new name on the box. It's interesting because when it first appeared with its new name, it was much cheaper than Xarelto a few months later it cost the same, and is more expensive than Eliquis!

[Blearyeyed in reply to pusillanimous]

Interesting. You can get Flexiseq from the chemist in South Africa, so I assume you could also get it cheaper from South African Amazon which I believe is up and running , I get mine for a few pounds less by buying it from Amazon.

[pusillanimous in reply to Blearyeyed]

Fascinating conversation Bleary - I Googled it and you can buy it for R325.90 from an online chemist here - I don't know how that compares with pounds, given the exchange rate is about R23 to the pound. Amazon do ship certain things here, but I haven't checked if this is available through them. But I don't think R325 is too bad if it works. I have an infrared massager, maybe I'll get that out and give it a whirl!

[Leaney]

If you read the leaflet inside the Voltarol box it tells you not to use it for more then six weeks (I think).

[BrotherThomas]

I have an old injury to my lower back that occasionally causes me pain. I use the high strength OTC version of Diclofenac gel for up to 2 weeks without a problem. I take Apixaban. The advice I've had from professionals has been mixed. Some say you shouldn't use it under any circumstances others say it's OK. When I mention the conflicting advice, they just clam up and ignore me.

So you pays your money and takes your choice.

[Blearyeyed]

Because Voltarol contains Diclofenac it isn't recommended without GP approval because it can effect the dosage you have of that drug, even though you are usually ok with topical NSAIDs or Magnesium creams instead of oral ones.If you are using the cream for general or osteoarthritic joint pain the one that is regularly recommended to use instead of Voltarol is called Flexiseq.

Many people with OA and PMR use Flexiseq , it's a non drug based formula.

It's also been tested to see it's safety in those using steroids , NSAIDs and other medications and they have had no side effects or excess bruising.

It's a little more expensive but it goes a long way.

[quanglewangle]

You are wise to ask around and as you have discovered will get the 'benefit' of others' experience.

Please remember that we are all different and our bodies react individually ( just look at any Information Lealfet supplied with any medication and see the possible range of 'side effects' - and realise that, because you are you, you probably experience only one or two of the listed possible side effects - but that list is complied from numerous other people that DID experience those other effects!).

Diclofenac gives my daughter severe stomach pain - me... nothing!!

And as others have told you Diclofenac applied in Voltarol works locally and can be very useful to help localised pain.

Much of the precautionary advice about NSAIDS (including Diclofenac) stems from Danish research that indicated a possible increase of 60% in risk of blood clot/stroke/etc . HELP - Panic ! BUT (from memory) that is only from about 1.4 to 2.3% - Phew!!

Quoting this widely read data and following a tiny TIA the stroke doctor told me to stop using the Diclofenac that I had used for many years for chronic lower back pain. Now on Edoxaban blood thinner, and back in pain I experimented with numerous pain control meds without success.

I then asked my cardiologist whether I could go back on Diclofenac and he prescribed 75mg twice per day but I take 50mg and within days my months of pain were gone again.

So - it is 8 years on I am still using oral Diclofenac , have no bleeding problems, no further TIA, just great Quality Of Life.

That is just my experience and opinion, but I just urge you to keep an open mind and keep listening.....

Good Luck

[Qualipop]

Do not use the internet; ask a pharmacist or your doctor. I had a year on blood thinners after a heart attack and used something similar (Piroxicam) the whole time. You can't take anti inflammatory tablets but the gels and ointments are fine.

[Broseley]

Hi, I have been told by pharmacists and doctors in several locations, that I must not under any circumstances use topical NSAIDS. I have a problem with my knee and have been prescribed capsaicin cream on repeat. It does help.

[FancyPants54]

Controversial probably, but Ibuprofen is the only pain killer that will clear a migraine for me. I have quite a few migraines and they send me to bed, sometimes for days, if I let them run. So I spoke to the hospital pharmacist when I was in for a day of monitoring early in my AF life. She said I could take the tablets provided I had food with them and didn't take more than was absolutely necessary. So that's what I do. Never had a problem. 2 Ibuprofen close to the start of a migraine usually means I will be feeling better in 3-4 hours and can manage the rest with paracetamol. I'd not hesitate to use a topical gel.

[Bagrat]

A balanced view from arthritis foundation

advice from arthritis foundation

[sarniacherie]

My cardiologist has told me never to use painkiller creams even Deep Heat or anti-inflammatory tablets like Ibuprofen. Paracetamol is the only painkiller I take and then only if I need some relief. It's a problem for me as I have arthritic knees and hands and injuries from a train crash have left me with occasional severe back pain.

[KelliEAnniE in reply to sarniacherie]

yes I like you I would rather err on the side of caution thanks

[KelliEAnniE in reply to KelliEAnniE]

must be hard for you though

[sarniacherie]

Thanks for replying. It's funny how some replies say their medics are happy for them to use creams and others not. When my back is playing up I use heat pads that I warm in the microwave. Arthritis has crept up on me as I have aged. I try to avoid the foods that aggravate it. The joys of AF and getting older. Keep well. X

[KelliEAnniE in reply to sarniacherie]

cheers and you

[Desanthony]

Using the cream occasionally is OK my Doc told me but taking the tablets is a definite no no.

[dbw27]

I have been on Apixaban at the standard dosage of 5mg twice daily since developing AF (now persistent) many years ago. I apply Voltarol occasionally to combat minor though painful bouts of gouty arthritis and have had no problems whatsoever. Rather the reverse in that although conventional wisdom has it that diclofenac tablets are best avoided because of the risk of serious bleeding my then GP several years ago was content to prescribe them as a balanced risk to deal effectively with a painful but short lived bout of gout. I should also add that having cut myself accidentally a few times (inc once seriously) while on Apixaban, have found the nature and volume of bleeding to be no worse than when taking low dose aspirin, which I did prior to taking the blood thinner.Medical opinion in the UK in the last five years appears to have shifted towards greater caution in advising against the prescribing of anti inflammatories in general such as ibuprofen and diclofenac tablets and gels for patients on blood thinners, perhaps driven by manufacturers fears of litigation; my own view is that gels and creams should not pose a problem. Sorry for the slightly long winded reply!

[Florence-Nightingale]

it’s fine to use topically ,I have used it regularly on my knees with no problems at all. You must not take it by mouth.

[kitttycat]

Hello, I am in Canada but I use a product called Ice Cold Gel that I get at the drugstore - it was recommended.