I have two bad knees due to osteoarthritis and at times I want to use one on each knee.
Can you use more than one flector patch or cut it in half?
Question posted by flector922 on 22 March 2012
Last updated on 10 October 2018 by Debmck
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
Answers
I have been told that I can by the pharmacy. Since the medicine is diffused in the patch and isn't a gel between two different layers there's no way it could increase the dose. I also use multiple patches at the same time since the amount of diclofenac absorbed into the bloodstream is so much lower than a single pill would give you I feel it's a safer option than reaching for the ibuprofen. But then I have had GI bleeding from the "harmless" over the counter NSAID and 15,000 people die every year from it so use your best judgement. Here's a link comparing the amounts of diclofenac in the bloodstream by the different delivery methods if you're interested. jeffrey-fudin/2015/07/should-topical-nsaids-have-strict-heart-risk-warnings
No you shouldn't use two Flector patches at a time and you shouldn't halve the patch either.
Just apply one patch to the area as directed. How many times a day are you instructed to apply the patch. If it is twice a day then perhaps you could alternate the knees. All the best.
Related topics
flector, flector patch, osteoarthritis, knee
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.