Pain Free Ankles (Voltarol Emulgel)

Member Name: tconnor

Product:	Voltarol Emulgel
Date:	19/09/08 (264 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: does deal with the pain if you follow directions

Disadvantages: have to apply every 4 hours

A while back I sprained my ankle and after trying all of the usual home remedies of frozen peas and rest I decided it was a trip to the Gps to try & sort it out!

The Gp prescribed me new remedy at the time Voltarol Gel Patch. I was familiar with Voltarol tablets which are in the same class of drugs as ibuprofen namely the NSAIDS (non steroidal inflammatory drugs) however I hadnt come across this formulation in a patch that you apply directly to the skin. The Gp explained that the long term side effects with NSAIDS can be quite nasty (ulcers) so if you can apply the drug directly to the skin you dont get the same level of absorption into your blood, thus you dont get the same level of side effects. The main side effects are those like skin reactions. I wasn't aware at that point that Voltarol gel had actually been around as a prescription item for a number of years. The patch worked wonders & within 12 hours of wearing it the swelling & pain in my ankle had really subsided. I have since bought the Voltarol gel for subsequent sprains and to be honest it doesn't seem to work as well, I'm sure though it is down to the fact that I don't have the patience to apply the gel every 4 hours! Aside from having to apply every 4 hours it is actually easy to apply, and is absorbed well into the skin leaving no sticky residue.

Overall Voltarol Gel worked better for me than the brufen gel and I would say its worthwhile keeping a tube in the house for any unexpected aches & pains. In my mind its better than taking a tablet.

Summary: A useful addition to the medicine cabinet