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Is Voltaren Medication Best For Advanced RA?
I Have very advanced RA, did have a heart attack one and half years ago; gave up Voltaren , but they were the best for my condition; would u recommend I go back on them for a short period; or what else would u suggest; have a lot of inflammation and pain ;
Mon, 8 Sep 2014
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Voltaren(diclofenac) is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) -indicated for treatment of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).
NSAIDs were formally viewed as the core of all other RA therapy, but they are now considered to be adjunctive therapy for management of symptoms uncontrolled by other measures.
Methotrexate ,disease modifying agents (DMARDs),is the first choice in the management of moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis.This group of drugs takes a long time (6-12 weeks) for their actions to commence and so in the induction phase, NSAIDs is given to reduce pain and their dose is tapered subsequently.
Since you are a case of very advanced RA,you should be on Methotrexate or Leflunomide and for the first few weeks you can take Voltaren-75 mg twice daily or Diclofenac SR 75 mg once daily . Take with meals,preferably with antacid e.g. pantoprazole 20-40 mg daily orally.
DMARDs should be started by consultants.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.
Mumbai
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Voltaren(diclofenac) is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) -indicated for treatment of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).
NSAIDs were formally viewed as the core of all other RA therapy, but they are now considered to be adjunctive therapy for management of symptoms uncontrolled by other measures.
Methotrexate ,disease modifying agents (DMARDs),is the first choice in the management of moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis.This group of drugs takes a long time (6-12 weeks) for their actions to commence and so in the induction phase, NSAIDs is given to reduce pain and their dose is tapered subsequently.
Since you are a case of very advanced RA,you should be on Methotrexate or Leflunomide and for the first few weeks you can take Voltaren-75 mg twice daily or Diclofenac SR 75 mg once daily . Take with meals,preferably with antacid e.g. pantoprazole 20-40 mg daily orally.
DMARDs should be started by consultants.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.
Mumbai
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