VOLTALGAN 3% SKIN FOAM 50 G PRESSURIZED CONTAINER

Name
Voltalgan 3% skin foam
Diclofenac


What it is and what it is used for
Voltalgan contains the active ingredient diclofenac. Diclofenac belongs to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is used to reduce pain and inflammation.

Voltalgan is indicated for the local treatment of painful and inflammatory conditions of rheumatic or traumatic nature affecting:
• joints;
• muscles;
• tendons and ligaments.

Contact your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days, if the disorder occurs repeatedly, or if you notice any recent changes in its characteristics.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not use Voltalgan
• if you are allergic to diclofenac, acetylsalicylic acid, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• if in the past after taking acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) you have had an allergic reaction manifested by asthma (difficulty breathing caused by inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi), angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing and/or breathing), urticaria (itchy skin rash), or acute rhinitis (runny nose due to acute forms of inflammation of the nasal mucosa);
• if your skin has any kind of lesions, for example exudative dermatitis (irritation of the skin with exudate, a fluid that forms with inflammation), eczema (skin rash), lesions with infection, burns or wounds;
• if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy (see section "Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility");
• if the patient is a child or adolescent under 14 years of age.


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Voltalgan.

Talk to your doctor before using Voltalgan:
• if you suffer or have suffered from asthma;
• if you suffer or have suffered from chronic diseases with bronchial obstruction;
• if you suffer or have suffered from allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose due to allergy);
• if you suffer or have suffered from inflammation of the nasal mucosa (nasal polyp) because you may experience asthma attacks, local inflammation of the skin, mucosa (Quincke's oedema) or urticaria more easily than other patients.

Pay special attention:
• do not ingest Voltalgan; wash your hands after use;
• do not apply Voltalgan on damaged, diseased skin or on open wounds;
• avoid allowing Voltalgan to come into contact with your eyes or mucous membranes, such as the mouth. If this occurs, wash the area immediately with running water and contact your doctor;
• if you are an elderly patient and/or have stomach problems, do not use Voltalgan with other anti-inflammatory medicines taken by mouth, injection or rectally;
• do not use Voltalgan with an occlusive dressing, i.e. covering the affected area with a plastic film that does not allow air to pass through. Instead, you can use Voltalgan with a gauze that allows air to pass through;
• the use, especially if for long periods of time, of local medicines can cause allergic reactions. If this occurs, stop treatment with Voltalgan and consult your doctor who will give you suitable therapy;
• avoid excessive exposure to sunlight while using Voltalgan, this will reduce the risk of having skin reactions due to the sun;
• if you use diclofenac on large areas of skin and for long periods of time, you may experience side effects that involve the whole body; do not exceed the recommended dose.

Stop treatment if you develop a skin rash after using Voltalgan.
If you use Voltalgan with other medicines containing diclofenac you may experience skin reactions, including serious ones (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lyell syndrome).

Children and adolescents
Voltalgan should not be used in children and adolescents under 14 years of age.


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• various types of skin reactions, such as irritation, redness, itching, flaking, swelling or blisters (dermatitis, eczema, erythema, rash).

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
• bullous dermatitis (inflammation of the skin with the appearance of blisters).

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
• allergic reactions including hives;
• angioedema (swelling of the skin, tissues and mucous membranes, e.g. swelling of the face or tongue with difficulty swallowing and/or breathing);
• skin rash with the appearance of pustules;
• asthma (difficulty breathing caused by inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi);
• appearance of spots, swelling or redness on the skin following exposure to sunlight or sunlamps.

Side effects with unknown frequency:
• dry skin;
• burning sensation at the application site.

Following the instructions in the package leaflet reduces the risk of side effects.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse .
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.