Duexis vs. Voltaren

• Are Duexis and Voltaren the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Duexis?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Voltaren?
• What Is Duexis?
• What Is Voltaren?
• What Drugs Interact with Duexis?
• What Drugs Interact with Voltaren?
• How Should Duexis Be Taken?
• How Should Voltaren Be Taken?

Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine) and Voltaren (diclofenac) are used to treat signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Duexis is used when there is a high risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers.

Voltaren is also used as a fever-reducer.

Both Duexis and Voltaren are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) but Duexis also contains a histamine H2-receptor antagonist.

The brand name Voltaren is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Duexis and Voltaren that are similar include stomach pain, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, heartburn, dizziness, headache, or blurred vision.

Side effects of Duexis that are different from Voltaren include nausea, vomiting, throat irritation, changes in color vision, or back pain.

Side effects of Voltaren that are different from Duexis include ulcers, nervousness, skin itching or rash, or ringing in the ears.

Both Duexis and Voltaren may interact with blood thinners, antidepressants, or cold, allergy, or pain medicines that contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Voltaren may also interact with cyclosporine, isoniazid, lithium, methotrexate, pronbenecid, rifampin, secobarbital, sertraline, sulfamethoxazole, teniposide, zafirlukast, diuretics (water pills), steroids, antifungal medications, cholesterol-lowering medicines, or heart or blood pressure medications.

Common side effects of Duexis include:

• stomach pain,
• upset stomach,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• bloating,
• gas,
• heartburn,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• throat irritation,
• blurred vision,
• changes in color vision, or
• back pain.

Duexis can cause serious or fatal side effects including:

• heart attack,
• stroke,
• gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration, and
• perforation of the stomach or intestines.

Common side effects of Voltaren include:

• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• gas,
• ulcers, or
• itching,
• dryness,
• redness,
• scaling,
• numbness and tingling,
• cysts,
• pimples, or other
• skin irritation where the medicine was applied.

Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine) is a combination of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a histamine H2-receptor antagonist used to treat signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and to decrease the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers.

Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium topical gel) is a topical gel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain of osteoarthritis of joints that are amenable to topical treatment, such the hands and knees.

Duexis may interact with ACE-inhibitors. Duexis contains ibuprofen and may interact with anticoagulant medication such as Warfarin (Coumadin). Tell your doctor all medications you use. Duexis should not be given to women in late stages of pregnancy. There is potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants; consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Voltaren Gel may interact with aspirin, lithium, diuretics (water pills), blood thinners, and methotrexate.

Voltaren Gel may also interact with heart or blood pressure medications, cyclosporine, steroids, certain antibiotics, and other topical treatments.

Duexis is dosed as 800 mg/26.6 mg tablets, taken orally, three times per day.

The proper amount of Voltaren® Gel should be measured using the dosing card supplied in the drug product carton. The dosing card is made of clear polypropylene. The dosing card should be used for each application of drug product. The gel should be applied within the rectangular area of the dosing card up to the 2 gram or 4 gram line (2 g for each elbow, wrist, or hand, and 4 g for each knee, ankle, or foot). The 2 g line is 2.25 inches long. The 4 g line is 4.5 inches long. The dosing card containing Voltaren® Gel can be used to apply the gel. The hands should then be used to gently rub the gel into the skin. After using the dosing card, hold with fingertips, rinse, and dry. If treatment site is the hands, patients should wait at least one (1) hour to wash their hands.

Lower Extremities, Including The Feet, Ankles, Or Knees

Apply the gel (4 g) to the affected foot, ankle, or knee 4 times daily. Voltaren® Gel should be gently massaged into the skin ensuring application to the entire affected foot, or knee or ankle. The entire foot includes the sole, top of the foot and the toes. Do not apply more than 16 g daily to any single joint of the lower extremities.

Upper Extremities Including The Hands, Wrists, Or Elbows

Apply the gel (2 g) to the affected hand, wrist, or elbow 4 times daily. Voltaren® Gel should be gently massaged into the skin ensuring application to the entire affected hand, wrist, or elbow. The entire hand includes the palm, back of the hands, and the fingers. Do not apply more than 8 g daily to any single joint of the upper extremities.

Total dose should not exceed 32 g per day, over all affected joints.

Special Precautions

• Avoid showering/bathing for at least 1 hour after the application. Inform patient to wash his/her hands after use, unless the hands are the treated joint. If Voltaren® Gel is applied to the hand(s) for treatment; inform patient not to wash the treated hand(s) for at least 1 hour after the application.
• Do not apply Voltaren® Gel to open wounds.
• Avoid contact of Voltaren® Gel with eyes and mucous membranes.
• Do not apply external heat and/or occlusive dressings to treated joints.
• Avoid exposure of the treated joint(s) to natural or artificial sunlight.
• Avoid concomitant use of Voltaren® Gel on the treated skin site with other topical products, including sunscreens, cosmetics, lotions, moisturizers, insect repellants, or other topical medications
• Concomitant use of Voltaren® Gel with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) has not been evaluated, and may increase adverse NSAIDs effects. Do not use combination therapy with Voltaren® Gel and an oral NSAID unless the benefit outweighs the risk and conduct periodic laboratory evaluations.
• Avoid wearing of clothing or gloves for at least 10 minutes after applying Voltaren® Gel.