What is Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel and when is it used?

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel contains the active substance diclofenac, which belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (medicines that relieve pain and reduce inflammation). Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and, thanks to the water-alcoholic base, has a soothing, cooling effect.

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel is used for the local treatment of pain, inflammation and swelling in sports and accident injuries such as sprains, bruises, strains and back pain caused by sports and accidents.

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel can also be used for the short-term local treatment of acute pain in osteoarthritis of small and medium-sized joints that are close to the skin, such as finger joints or knees.

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel is intended for use in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age.

When should Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel not be used?

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel should not be used if there is a known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient diclofenac or other pain, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents Substances (especially acetylsalicylic acid/aspirin and ibuprofen) and hypersensitivity to one of the excipients (e.g. propylene glycol, isopropanol, for a full list of excipients see the section "What does Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel 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.

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel must not be used during the last 3 months of pregnancy (see also «Can Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?»).

When is caution required when using Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel?

• Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel must not be applied to open skin wounds (e.g. after abrasions, cuts) or on damaged skin (e.g. eczema, skin rashes).
• Stop treatment immediately if a skin rash occurs after using the preparation.
• Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel should not be used for a long time applied to large areas unless prescribed by a doctor.
• 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 hands after use, except when treating the finger joints (see also «How do you use Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel?»).
• Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel contains propylene glycol and Butylated hydroxytoluene: Propylene glycol may cause local skin irritation in some patients. Butylated hydroxytoluene can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact eczema) or irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes.
• Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel 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 Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel must not be used during the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy or while breastfeeding , unless specifically prescribed by a doctor. Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel must not be used in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may harm the unborn child or cause problems during childbirth.

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

How do you use Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel?

The preparation is for external use only.

Removing the tube seal from tubes with screw cap: unscrew the cap completely before using it for the first time. Then put the cap on the tube with the other side and loosen the seal with a twisting movement and remove it from the tube.

For tubes with Easy Click Cap: Note the information on opening/closing the Easy Click Cap at the very end of the text.

Adults and adolescents from the age of 12

Depending on the size of the painful or swollen areas or areas to be treated, a quantity of 2-4 g Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel (amount the size of a cherry to a walnut) applied, rubbed in lightly or massaged in for muscle pain.

After application:

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

You should consider a treatment with Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel, 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. Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel should not be used for longer than 2 weeks without a doctor's prescription.

Use the preparation for the shortest amount of time necessary, applying no more than necessary.

Children under the age of 12

The use and safety of Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel 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 Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel (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 Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel have?

The following side effects can occur when using Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel: Some rare or very rare side effects can be serious.

If any of the following side effects occur, stop treatment with Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel 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 on the skin.
• Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people treated): rash with pustules, 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 marked «EXP» on the container.

Storage instructions

Store at 15-30°C.

Keep out of the reach of children.

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

Further information

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

What does Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel contain?

100 g of Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel contain:

Active ingredient

2.32 g diclofenac diethylamine equivalent to 2 g diclofenac sodium.

Excipients

Carbomers, cocoyl caprylocaprate, diethylamine, isopropanol, macrogolcetostearyl ether, oleyl alcohol, paraffin, propylene glycol, flavoring (contains eucalyptus), antioxidant: E321 (butylated hydroxytoluene), purified water .

Approval number

61859 (Swissmedic).

Where can you get Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel? What packs are available?

In pharmacies and drugstores, without a doctor's prescription.

Tubes of 100g, 120g, 150g and 180g (with Easy Cap).

Tubes of 100 g, 120 g, 150 g and 180 g (with Easy Click Cap).

Tubes of 50g, 100g, 120g, 150g and 180g.

Authorization holder

GSK Consumer Healthcare Schweiz AG, Risch.

This leaflet was last checked by the Medicines Agency (Swissmedic) in June 2021.

Application instructions for tubes with Easy Click Cap

When opening and closing the Hold the tube with the cap facing up.

1. Open Easy Click Cap

Use a finger, thumb, side of your hand or possibly the edge of a table and press against the underside of the cap to easily open it.

The safety clasp on both sides of the cap breaks when the clasp is opened for the first time.

Before opening for the first time, please check that both seals of the security closure are not broken.

or

2. Application

See the section «How do you use Voltaren Dolo forte Emulgel?»

3. Close the Easy Click Cap

After use, if necessary, remove the remaining amounts of the emulgel from the Easy Click Cap with a cotton cloth or absorbent paper until it looks clean and dry.

To close the Easy Click Cap, press the cap with your fingers, the side of your hand or possibly against a table edge or top until you hear a "click" sound.

or