Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Olfen 11.6 mg/g gel
diclofenac diethylamine
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of the medicine contained in this leaflet or as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist.
Contents of the package leaflet:
Olfen contains the active substance diclofenac, which belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
For adults and adolescents over 14 years
For the local and symptomatic short-term treatment of mild to moderate pain in sprains, strains, or bruises after a closed trauma.
DO NOT USE Olfen
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to use this medicine.
You are more likely to suffer from asthma attacks (called analgesic/asthma intolerance), local skin swelling, or mucous membrane swelling (called Quincke's edema) or urticaria than other patients.
If you have asthma, allergic rhinitis, nasal membrane inflammation (called nasal polyps), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic respiratory tract infections (particularly associated with symptoms similar to those of allergic rhinitis), or hypersensitivity to other analgesics and anti-rheumatic drugs of any type.
In these patients, this medicine may only be used under certain precautions (preparation for emergencies) and direct medical supervision. The same applies to patients who are also allergic to other substances, for example, with skin reactions, itching, or urticaria.
When this medicine is applied to a large area of the skin and for a prolonged period, the possibility of systemic side effects cannot be excluded. The gel should therefore be used with caution in patients with reduced renal function, reduced cardiac function, or reduced hepatic function, as well as in patients with active peptic ulcer in the stomach or duodenum.
Apply this medicine only to intact, non-diseased, or non-injured skin. Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes. The gel should not be taken orally.
After applying the gel to the skin, you may use a permeable (non-occlusive) dressing, but let the gel dry on the skin for a few minutes. Do not use it with an occlusive, airtight dressing.
If the symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 to 5 days, consult a doctor.
The use of this medicine should be discontinued if you develop a skin rash.
If you are exposed to direct sunlight or artificial sunlight, there is a risk of skin reactions. You should avoid sunlight or artificial sunlight during treatment and for two weeks after discontinuation of treatment.
Precautions should be taken to prevent children from touching the area where the gel is applied.
Children and adolescents
This medicine should not be used in children and adolescents under 14 years.
Other medicines and Olfen
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
No interactions have been known so far in the intended cutaneous use of this medicine.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Pregnancy
DO NOT USEthis medicine during the last trimester of pregnancy, as it may harm the fetus or cause problems during delivery. If you are planning a pregnancy or during the first and second trimester, this medicine should only be used after consulting your doctor.
Breastfeeding
During breastfeeding, do not use this medicine, unless your doctor has indicated it, as diclofenac passes into breast milk in small amounts. It should not be applied to the breast area or other large areas of skin for prolonged periods.
Driving and using machines
This medicine has a negligible influence on your ability to drive and use machines.
Olfen contains propylene glycol (E1520)
This medicine contains 50 mg of propylene glycol in 1 gram of gel.
Olfen contains fragrances
This medicine contains fragrances with benzyl alcohol (0.15 mg/g, E1519), citral, citronellol, coumarin, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, d-limonene, and linalool, which may cause allergic reactions.
Additionally, benzyl alcohol may cause mild local irritation.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of the medicine contained in this leaflet or as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Adults and adolescents over 14 years
This medicine is used 3 to 4 times a day.
Depending on the size of the area to be treated, a quantity the size of a cherry or a walnut, corresponding to 1-4 grams of gel, is required.
The maximum daily dose is 16 grams of gel.
Elderly patients
No special dose adjustment is necessary. If you are an elderly person, you should pay special attention to side effects, and if necessary, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Impaired renal or hepatic function
No dose reduction is necessary.
Use in children and adolescents (under 14 years)
Do not use this medicine in children and adolescents under 14 years (see section 2 "DO NOT USE Olfen").
Before using it for the first time, open as follows:
How to apply:
This medicine is for cutaneous use.
Apply the gel to the affected parts of the body in a thin layer and rub gently into the skin. Unless the hands are the area to be treated, wash your hands after rubbing in the gel.
Duration of treatment:
The duration of use depends on the symptoms and the underlying disease.
This medicine should not be used for more than 1 week without medical advice.
If the symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3-5 days, you should consult a doctor.
If you use more Olfen than you should
It is unlikely that an overdose will occur if you use more Olfen than you should, as absorption into the bloodstream is low when used on the skin. If you significantly exceed the recommended dose when used on the skin, the gel should be removed and washed off with water.
If you accidentally ingest this medicine, contact your doctor, who will decide on the necessary measures.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount used.
If you forget to use Olfen
Do not apply a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some rare and very rare side effects can be serious.
If you experience any of the following signs of allergy, stop using this medicine and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Other side effects are possible:
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Skin rash, itching, redness, eczema, dermatitis (including contact dermatitis).
Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Scaling, dry skin, swelling (edema).
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
Pustular rash, gastrointestinal disorders, hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria), sensitivity to light with the appearance of skin reactions after exposure to sunlight.
Not known(frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Burning sensation at the application site, dry skin.
When this medicine is applied to a large area of the skin and for a prolonged period, the possibility of systemic side effects cannot be completely excluded (e.g., renal, hepatic, or gastrointestinal side effects, systemic hypersensitivity reactions), as may occur after systemic administration of medicines containing diclofenac.
Reporting of side effects
If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Medicines Surveillance System for Human Use: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging and tube after the abbreviation CAD or EXP. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medicine does not require special temperature storage conditions.
Keep in the original tube to protect from light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of the packaging and any unused medicine in the SIGRE collection point at your pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicine. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Olfen
Appearance of the product and pack contents
White or almost white, homogeneous gel, packaged in laminated aluminum tubes, closed with a PE seal and PP screw caps, in pack sizes: 30 grams, 50 grams, 60 grams, 100 grams, 120 grams, 150 grams per tube.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder
Teva B.V.
Swensweg 5
2031 GA Haarlem
Netherlands
Manufacturer
Merckle GmbH
Graf Arco Strasse 3
89079 Ulm (Germany)
You can obtain further information on this medicine by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
Teva Pharma, S.L.U.
C/ Anabel Segura, 11, Edificio Albatros B, 1ª planta,
Alcobendas 28108
Madrid (Spain)
This medicine is authorized in the EEA Member States under the following names:
Germany: Diclofenac AbZ Schmerzgel
France: DICLOFENAC TEVA SANTE CONSEIL 1%, gel
Spain: Olfen 11.6 mg/g gel
Sweden: Diklofenak Teva
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Diclofenac diethylamine 1.16% w/w gel
Date of last revision of this leaflet:November 2021
Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es
The best alternatives with the same active ingredient and therapeutic effect.
Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for OLFEN 11.6 mg/g GEL – subject to medical assessment and local rules.