If you have heart failure and are taking Arthrotec (diclofenac / misoprostol), your provider will likely monitor you for signs of worsening heart failure. Tell your provider right away if you have high blood pressure, sudden trouble breathing, sudden weight gain, or swelling in your arms or legs while taking this medication. Multiple head-to-head trials have demonstrated that topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including topical diclofenac, provide at least equivalent analgesia, improvement in physical function, and reduction of stiffness compared with oral NSAIDs in osteoarthritis and have fewer systemic adverse events. While efficacy of topical diclofenac in osteoarthritis is well established How does Voltarol gel work? Voltarol gels contain the active ingredient diclofenac diethylammonium, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac topical side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, wheezing or trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Diclofenac was found to be more effective than Ibuprofen for arthritic pain alleviation in a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Arthritis Research and Therapy. The researchers looked at data from 176 trials that included 146,524 participants. Diclofenac was also found to have a decreased risk of stomach-related side effects than Ibuprofen. Diclofenac sodium, the medicine in Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1%, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are used to treat pain from medical conditions such as arthritis. Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1% works similarly to oral NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen by temporarily blocking the production of pain signaling In a meta-analysis from the Journal of Arthritis Research and Therapy, diclofenac was found to be more effective than ibuprofen for arthritic pain relief. The study reviewed data from 176 studies with over 146,524 patients. The risk of stomach-related effects were also found to be lower with diclofenac compared to ibuprofen. They may contain ingredients similar to diclofenac (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). Voltaren side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Voltaren ( hives , difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat , burning eyes, skin pain GWPO.