Review of Voltarol Emulgel

I have had a spell of ill health recently, namely a virus that simply will not go away and a damaged ligament in my knee. The virus is a nuisance but the knee has been a real problem, extremely painful and it was making life very uncomfortable.

Once I had been examined, X-rayed and the problem diagnosed, my GP prescribed strong painkillers which helped. At a subsequent appointment, he also suggested massaging the affected area with a diclofenac based ointment several times a day, which is where this product comes in.

==The Gel and It's Uses==

I purchased my tube from my local Sainsbury's pharmacy. My Doctor had given me a prescription for the product, but as I am not in receipt of any benefits, nor over 60 or under 18 and definitely not of an age to be pregnant (!), I pay for my prescriptions. The pharmacist advised me that it would be cheaper for me to buy this over the counter than have the prescription made up.

This was a kindly meant and much appreciated piece of advice. I believe I paid around £4.20 for the 30g tube of gel, whereas to have the prescription dispensed would have been £7.40!

The Voltarol gel is designed to treat Rheumatic, muscular and joint pains, including sprains and strains. The active ingredient is Diclofenac diethylammonium. The Voltarol Emugel penetrates the skin to bring direct pain relief to the affected area.

The gel is presented in a cardboard wrapper which is white and orange in colour and all advices and warnings are clearly printed both on this outer packaging and replicated in a leaflet within the packaging.

The tube is made of a squeezable metal and is closed by means of a screw topped cap. The gel is very easy to squeeze out, a little too easy actually, as on my first attempt, I got a handful of the stuff, rather than a 1p sized blob!

I rubbed a small amount into the area where the pain was worst. The gel quite thick in texture, it has virtually no smell when you squeeze it from the tube, but as it warmed up as I rubbed it in, I noticed a feint aroma, not unpleasant, but a sort of rubbery chemical-like smell.

The gel is smooth and non sticky to the touch and it is absorbed very easily, leaving no residue on the skin.

==Usage, Warnings and Ingredients==

**Usage and Side effects**

(The following information is a little long winded, but I feel it is important to include these in a medicine review. If you don't agree, please feel free to scroll through this section of the review!)

Directions for use: Adults and children aged 12 and over: Use an amount the size of a one penny or two penny piece and rub gently into the skin over the affected site. Apply 3 - 4 times daily to the affected area of skin.
Do not use for more than 7 days, unless longer treatment is recommended by a doctor.
Do not exceed the stated dose.
Wash hands after use (unless they are the site being treated). 
Do not use on children under 12 years. 
For External Use Only. 
Not To Be Taken By Mouth. 

Do not use if you are allergic to, or ever had an asthma attach, wheezing, hives or a runny nose after taking aspirin or other NSAID pain/anti-inflammatory medicine.
Do not use if you are sensitive to diclofenac or any other ingredient of the gel.  
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 
 
Do not use if you are taking oral diclofenac, aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAID medicines.
Do not apply to cuts, wounds, sunburned skin or other area where the skin is abnormal, or near the eyes or nasal area.


Side effects are rare but if you experience any of the following, you should using the medicine immediately and tell your doctor: Unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, skin rash, itching, bruising, or facial swelling.

**Ingredients**
Voltarol Pain-eze Emuogel contains the following ingredients:

Diclofenac Diethylammonium 1.16% w/w, Also contains: Diethylamine, Carbomer, Macrogol Cetostearyl Ether, Cocoyl Caprylo-Caprate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Liquid Paraffin, Perfume, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water.

==My Thoughts and Conclusion==

I have to honest and say that in my arrogance and ignorance, I have always taken the view that anything rubbed on the outside of the body cannot possibly heal something on the inside, so with this in mind was rather scathing in my opinion of my Doctor's advice. However, as walking was difficult, sleeping was difficult and life in general was being badly affected by my bad knee, I felt I should try this gel.

Actually, I think I was ready to try anything, my friend is a Reiki healer and she had been giving me regular Reiki sessions, another friend is a crystal healer and he had sent me a crystal amulet. Unsurprisingly, neither if these 'alternative' methods had made any difference, although I enjoyed the chats and coffees after my Reiki sessions!

However, I digress!

The effects of this gel were not immediate or spectacular, however I found after a few days use my knee did feel less sensitive and movement was a little easier. Whether this was due to the ibuprofen, the massage or a combination of the two, I wouldn't like to say.

My knee is much improved, I'm not sure I could jive the night away yet, but I'm getting there!

What I can say is that massaging my painful, swollen knee with this gel certainly helped. The gel is fairly long lasting and I would definitely consider using it again if I was suffering from a similar condition.

I would certainly recommend Voltarol Emulgel to others who are suffering from a painful condition as I was. If like me, you pay for your prescriptions, it is worth asking the pharmacist if there is a cheaper alternative that you can buy over the counter.


Thank you for reading
©brittle1906 March 2012

N.B. My reviews may be found on other sites under the same user name