VOLTAREN RETARD 75 mg MODIFIED-RELEASE TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Voltarén Retard 75 mg Modified Release Tablets

diclofenac sodium

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Voltarén Retard 75 mg and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Voltarén Retard 75 mg
3. How to take Voltarén Retard 75 mg
4. Possible side effects
5. Storing Voltarén Retard 75 mg
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Voltarén Retard 75 mg and what is it used for

Diclofenac sodium, the active ingredient in Voltarén Retard, belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used to treat pain and inflammation.

Voltarén Retard is used to treat the following conditions:

• Chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis),
• Extra-articular rheumatism,
• Acute attacks of gout,
• Menstrual pain,
• Post-traumatic inflammation

2. What you need to know before you take Voltarén Retard 75 mg

It is important that you use the lowest dose that relieves your pain or controls your symptoms and do not take this medicine for longer than necessary to control your symptoms.

Do not take Voltarén Retard

• if you are allergic to diclofenac sodium or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you are allergic or have had allergic reactions to acetylsalicylic acid or other similar painkillers. Reactions can include asthma (difficulty breathing), chest pain, hives (allergic reaction on the skin with itching) acute rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa) or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat and/or limbs (signs of angioedema). If you think you may be allergic, consult your doctor.
• if you have had a stomach or duodenal bleeding or have suffered from two or more episodes of perforation of the digestive tract while taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
• if you currently have or have had more than one episode of stomach or duodenal ulcers or bleeding.
• if you have active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (diseases that produce diarrhea with or without blood and abdominal pain).
• if you have severe kidney disease.
• if you have severe liver disease.
• if you have established heart disease and/or cerebrovascular disease, for example, if you have had a heart attack, stroke, mini-stroke (TIA) or blockages in the blood vessels of the heart or brain, or have had surgery to remove a blockage or perform a coronary bypass.
• if you have had problems with blood circulation (peripheral arterial disease).
• if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy.
• if you have blood coagulation disorders.

Make sure your doctor knows before taking diclofenac:

• if you smoke
• if you have diabetes
• if you have angina, blood clots, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high triglycerides

Side effects can be minimized by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Voltarén Retard:

• if you have had or developed an ulcer, bleeding or perforation in the stomach or duodenum, which may be manifested by severe and persistent abdominal pain and/or black stools or even without previous warning symptoms.

This risk is greater when high doses and prolonged treatments are used in patients with a history of peptic ulcers and in the elderly. In these cases, your doctor will consider the possibility of associating a stomach protective medication.

• if you suffer from any of the following conditions: asthma, mild heart disease, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), bleeding disorders or other blood disorders, including hepatic porphyria.
• if you are taking medications for blood pressure or cyclosporin, as it increases the risk of kidney damage (see section "Other medications and Voltarén Retard").
• if you take medications that alter blood coagulation or increase the risk of ulcers, such as oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents of the acetylsalicylic acid type. You should also discuss the use of other medications that may increase the risk of such bleeding, such as other anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (see section "Other medications and Voltarén Retard").

• if you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, as medications like Voltarén may worsen these conditions.
• if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes, or are a smoker (cardiovascular risk factors), your doctor should periodically reassess whether you should continue treatment with this medication, especially if you have been taking it for more than 4 weeks.
• if you have liver or kidney failure, or blood disorders, you will need to have frequent blood tests during your treatment. This will allow your doctor to monitor the functioning of your liver (transaminase levels) or kidneys (creatinine levels) or blood (lymphocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet levels). With this, your doctor can decide to interrupt or change the dose of this medication.
• if you have recently undergone or are going to undergo stomach or intestinal surgery before taking this medication, as this medication may sometimes worsen the healing of intestinal wounds after surgery.
• if you have ever had a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blisters, or sores in the mouth after taking Voltarén Retard or other painkillers.

Patients with cardiovascular problems

Medications like Voltarén Retard may be associated with an increased risk of heart attacks ("myocardial infarction") or strokes, especially when used in high doses and for prolonged treatments. Do not exceed the recommended dose or treatment duration.

If you have heart problems, a history of strokes, or think you may be at risk of having them (for example, you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or are a smoker) and your doctor decides to treat you with this medication, you should not take more than 100 mg per day if the treatment lasts more than 4 weeks.

Additionally, this type of medication may cause fluid retention, especially in patients with heart disease and/or high blood pressure (hypertension).

In general, it is very important to take the lowest effective dose of this medication for the shortest possible time that relieves your pain and/or inflammation to reduce the risk of cardiovascular side effects.

If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or difficulty speaking while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Other medications and Voltarén Retard

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medications.

Certain medications may interfere with Voltarén Retard; in these cases, it may be necessary to change the dose or interrupt treatment with one of them.

It is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any of the following medications:

• medications containing lithium or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (for treating certain types of depression),
• medications containing methotrexate (for treating rheumatoid arthritis and cancer),
• medications containing cyclosporin, tacrolimus (after transplants),
• medications containing trimethoprim (for preventing and treating urinary tract diseases),
• medications for treating heart problems (digoxin, calcium antagonists such as verapamil or isradipine),
• medications used to treat diabetes, except insulin,
• medications for controlling blood pressure (diuretics, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors),
• medications for preventing blood clots,
• medications containing quinolone or ceftriaxone (for treating infections),
• other medications of the same group as Voltarén (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen,
• corticosteroids (medications that reduce inflammation and the action of the immune system),
• medications containing voriconazole (a medication used in the treatment of fungal infections),
• medications containing phenytoin (a medication used to treat epileptic seizures),
• medications containing misoprostol (for treating stomach ulcers),
• medications containing cholestyramine and colestipol to decrease cholesterol levels in the blood),
• medications containing pentazocine (for relieving pain),
• antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections (rifampicin).

Taking Voltarén Retard with food, drinks, and alcohol

You can take this medication with or without food, as food does not affect the effect of this medication.

Consuming alcoholic beverages with this medication may increase its toxicity.

Children and adolescents

The use of this medication is not recommended in children and adolescents.

Elderly patients

Elderly patients, especially those who are frail or have low body weight, may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication than other adults. Therefore, it is especially important that elderly patients immediately inform their doctor of any side effects that occur.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

Do not take this medication if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy, as it may harm the fetus or cause problems during delivery. It may cause kidney and heart problems in your fetus. It may affect your tendency and that of your baby to bleed and delay or prolong delivery more than expected. You should not take this medication during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless it is clearly necessary and as directed by your doctor. If you need treatment during this period or while trying to become pregnant, you should take the minimum dose for the shortest possible time. If you take it for more than a few days from the 20th week of pregnancy, this medication may cause kidney problems in your fetus, which may lead to low levels of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby (oligohydramnios) or narrowing of a blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) in the baby's heart. If you need treatment for more than a few days, your doctor may recommend additional checks.

Breastfeeding

Small amounts of diclofenac may appear in breast milk; therefore, you should not take this medication if you are breastfeeding.

Fertility

For women of childbearing age, it should be noted that medications like Voltarén Retard have been associated with a decrease in fertility.

Driving and using machines

The influence of diclofenac on the ability to drive and use machines is negligible or insignificant. However, patients who experience visual disturbances, dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness, or other central nervous system disorders while taking Voltarén Retard should avoid driving vehicles or operating machinery.

Voltarén Retard contains sucrose and sodium.

This medication contains sucrose; if your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medication.

This medication contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; this is essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to take Voltarén Retard 75 mg

Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Remember to take your medication.

Use in adults

The normal dose in mild cases or for prolonged treatments is 1 tablet of 75 mg per day. Do not exceed the dose of 2 tablets (150 mg of diclofenac) per day, divided into two doses.

In menstrual pain, the daily dose, which should be adjusted individually, is 50-200 mg of diclofenac (1 to 2 tablets of Voltarén Retard 75 mg). An initial dose of 50-100 mg of diclofenac (1 tablet of Voltarén Retard 75 mg) will be administered, and if necessary, it will be increased in subsequent menstrual cycles. Treatment should be started when the first symptoms appear. Depending on the intensity, it will be continued for a few days. For a dose of 50 mg, the use of Voltarén 50 mg gastro-resistant tablets is recommended, and for doses of 100 and 200 mg, Voltaren Retard 100 mg.

Method of administration

You can take this medication with or without food (see section "Taking Voltarén Retard with food, drinks, and alcohol").

Tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water or other liquid, without dividing or chewing them.

If you take more Voltarén Retard than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the toxicology information service. Telephone 91.562.04.20.

If you forget to take Voltarén Retard

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you can, unless it is almost time for the next dose; then return to your regular dosing schedule. If you forget several doses, consult your doctor.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you stop taking Voltarén Retard

Your doctor will indicate the duration of your treatment with this medication. Do not stop treatment before.

4. Possible Adverse Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.

Some adverse effects can be serious.

Stop using this medicine and immediately inform your doctor if you notice:

Mild abdominal cramps and abdominal pain on palpation that begins shortly after starting treatment with this medicine, followed by rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhea, usually observed within 24 hours after the onset of abdominal pain (frequency not known, cannot be determined from available data).

Chest pain, which can be a sign of a potentially serious allergic reaction called Kounis syndrome.

Severe skin allergic reaction, which can include large, generalized red or dark spots, skin swelling, blisters, and itching (generalized fixed drug eruption).

Other adverse effects that have been reported with the use of this medicine are:

Reporting Adverse Effects:

If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: http://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Voltarén Retard 75 mg

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 30°C. Keep the blister pack in the outer packaging to protect it from moisture.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date stated on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and unused medicines at the SIGRE collection point in the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Voltarén Retard Composition

• The active ingredient is diclofenac sodium. Each tablet contains 75 mg of diclofenac sodium.
• The other ingredients (excipients) are sucrose, cetyl alcohol, anhydrous colloidal silica (E-551), povidone (E-1201), magnesium stearate (E-470b), hypromellose (E-464), polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide (E-171), red iron oxide (E-172), talc (E-553b), and polyethylene glycol 8000 (E-1521).

Appearance of Voltarén Retard and Package Contents

Modified-release triangular tablets, biconvex, pink in color with "ID" on one side and "CG" on the other, in Al/PVC/PE/PVDC blisters, in packs of 40 tablets.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Novartis Farmacéutica, S.A.

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 764

08013 Barcelona – Spain

Manufacturer

Novartis Farma S.p.A.

Via Provinciale Schito, 131 (Torre Annunziata)

Naples- Italy

Novartis Farmacéutica, S.A.

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 764

08013 Barcelona – Spain

Novartis Pharma GmbH

Roonstrasse 25

DE-90429 Nuremberg

Germany

Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet:11/2023

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/