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What Is Voltaren-XR Used For?
What is Voltaren-XR used for? Voltaren-XR can help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis -- which include pain, stiffness, and swelling. At times, Voltaren-XR is used for off-label purposes, such as relieving the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The drug can also be used to treat pain and inflammation caused by a number of other conditions, such as cancer and gout.
from eMedTV.comWhat Is Voltaren-XR Used For? -- An Overview
Voltaren®-XR (diclofenac sodium extended-release) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Voltaren-XR can provide relief of symptoms associated with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, Voltaren-XR is not a cure for these types of arthritis, nor does it slow down the progression of the disease.
How Does Voltaren-XR Work?
Voltaren-XR and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) work by inhibiting the production of certain substances that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These substances are called prostaglandins. By blocking the production of prostaglandins, Voltaren-XR is useful at alleviating pain, inflammation, and joint swelling associated with different forms of arthritis.
Is Voltaren-XR Used for Off-Label Reasons?
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Voltaren-XR for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. Examples of off-label Voltaren-XR uses include the relief of:- Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
- Fibromyalgia symptoms
- Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE for short or lupus)
- Gout symptoms
- Cancer pain
- Pain or inflammation caused by other conditions.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD