What is Olfen Gel and when is it used?

Olfen Gel contains the active ingredient diclofenac, which belongs to a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (medicines that relieve pain and reduce inflammation).

Olfen Gel has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and, thanks to the water-alcoholic base, has a soothing, cooling effect.

Olfen Gel is used for the external treatment of pain, inflammation and swelling in:

• Injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints, e.g. sprains, bruises, strains or back pain after sport or an accident
• localized forms of soft tissue rheumatism, such as tendinitis (tennis elbow), shoulder-hand syndrome, bursitis, periarthropathies
• and for the symptomatic therapy of arthrosis of small and medium-sized joints that are close to the skin, such as finger joints or knees.

Olfen Gel is for use with Intended for adults and young people aged 12 and over.

When should Olfen Gel not be used?

Olfen Gel should not be used if there is a known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient diclofenac or other pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic substances (especially acetylsalicylic acid /aspirin and ibuprofen) and hypersensitivity to one of the excipients (e.g. isopropyl alcohol, sodium metabisulphite; for a full list of excipients, see the section «What does Olfen Gel contain?»). Such hypersensitivity is manifested, for example, by wheezing or shortness of breath (asthma), breathing difficulties, skin rash with blistering, hives, swelling of the face and tongue, runny nose.

Olfen Gel must not be used in the last 3 months of pregnancy (see also «Can Olfen Gel be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?»).

When is caution required when using Olfen Gel?

• Olfen Gel must not be applied to open skin wounds (e.g. after abrasions, cuts) or to damaged skin ( e.g. eczema, skin rashes).
• Stop treatment immediately if a skin rash occurs after using the preparation.
• Olfen Gel should not be applied to large areas over a long period of time, unless because on medical prescription.
• Eyes and mucous membranes should not come into contact with the preparation. If this does happen, rinse your eyes thoroughly with tap water and inform your doctor if the symptoms persist. Do not take the medicine. Wash your hands after use, except when treating the finger joints (see also «How do you use Olfen Gel?»).
• Olfen Gel must not be used with an airtight bandage (occlusive bandage).

Inform your doctor, pharmacist or druggist if you have previously had allergic symptoms after using similar preparations ("rheumatism ointments") if you

• suffer from other diseases,
• have allergies or
• use other medicines (including those you bought yourself!)!

Can Olfen Gel be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Olfen Gel must not be used during the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy or while breastfeeding, unless on express medical prescription. Olfen Gel must not be used in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it can harm the unborn child or cause problems during birth.

If you are planning to become pregnant, you should ask your doctor, pharmacist or druggist for advice before use.

How do you use Olfen Gel?

The preparation is intended for external use only.

Adults and adolescents from the age of 12

Depending on the size of the painful or swollen areas or areas to be treated, an amount of 2-4 g Olfen Gel (amount the size of a cherry to a walnut) and distribute (do not rub in).

After use:

• Wipe hands with a dry paper towel, then wash hands well, except when treating fingers. Dispose of the paper towel with the household waste.
• Before showering or bathing, you should wait until the gel has dried on your skin.

Should you consider a treatment with Olfen Gel forgotten, make up for the application as soon as possible. Do not apply double the amount to make up for the forgotten treatment.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if your symptoms have not improved after a week. Olfen Gel should not be used for longer than 2 weeks without a doctor's prescription. Use the preparation for the shortest time necessary, applying no more than necessary.

Children under the age of 12

The use and safety of Olfen Gel in children under the age of 12 has not yet been systematically tested. Its use is therefore not recommended.

If you or your child swallow Olfen Gel (accidentally), contact your doctor immediately.

Stick to the dosage given in the package leaflet or as prescribed by your doctor. If you think the medicine is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or druggist.

What side effects can Olfen Gel have?

The following side effects can occur when using Olfen Gel: Some rare or very rare side effects can be serious.

If any of the following side effects occur, stop treatment with Olfen Gel and tell your doctor immediately:

• rash with blisters, hives
• wheezing, shortness of breath, or a tightness in the chest (asthma)
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue and of the throat.

These other side effects are usually mild and temporary:

• common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100): rash, itching, redness, burning sensation of the skin.
• very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 users): increased sensitivity to sunlight. Signs of this are sunburn with itching, swelling and blistering.

If you notice any side effects, contact your doctor, pharmacist or druggist. This also applies in particular to side effects that are not listed in this leaflet.

What else needs to be considered?

The medicinal product may only be used up to the date stated on the container with «EXP».

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater (e.g. not down the toilet or sink). This helps protect the environment.

Storage instructions

Do not store above 30°C. Don't ingest. Do not freeze and do not store in the refrigerator.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Further information

Your doctor, pharmacist or druggist can provide you with further information. These people have the detailed information for specialists.

What does Olfen Gel contain?

Active ingredients

Diclofenac sodium.

Excipients

Lactic acid, diisopropyl adipate, isopropyl alcohol, sodium metabisulfite, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, purified water.

Approval number

48706 (Swissmedic).

Where can you get Olfen Gel? What packs are available?

In pharmacies and drugstores without a doctor's prescription.

Tubes of 50 and 100 g.

Authorization holder

Mepha Pharma AG, Basel.

This leaflet was last checked by the Medicines Agency (Swissmedic) in October 2020.

Internal version number: 9.1