Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Sor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2020

For Pain "I have chronic intractable pain caused by a car accident 50 years ago. 40 years later: fused/plated/screws/rods/nuts/bolts from C2-C7. Also L-spine issues, shoulder tears, arthritis, muscle spasms, lots of nerve damage. 30 years ago I learned oral anti-inflammatory medications were not my friends. When Voltaren gel was new, I tried it a couple of times but found no relief. I recently decided to try Voltaren gel again. BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART! Following the directions, I applied a pea-sized amount in a very small area. 3 days & 6 applications later, my stomach began to burn. It continued up my esophagus to mouth, lips & tongue. It was agony! I caution others with sensitivities or allergies to NSAIDs to think twice before using this medication. It took a full four weeks for the burning to stop. I can't help but be concerned as this medication goes OTC. If I could give a negative number for Voltaren gel, I would. If I could assign the actual number of days used, I would."

• Sop...
• June 6, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Voltaren Gel was prescribed years ago when it was a prescription, and I did feel pain relief in my knee, but my stomach hurt a lot from it. I tried it now that it is over the counter, and there is a little help with my knee, but major all-day migraine and sweats from using it."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2019

For Pain "An important warning: two people switching from ibuprofen or other medications that cause stomach bleeding. I found out that Voltaren gel does this too. Even though it is a topical lotion, it will still give you serious stomach problems. I found this out the hard way after ditching ibuprofen and other pain relievers, and my blood loss came back just as severe once I started the gel. And I had to go on Nexium and iron supplements. I just did not assume this would be the case since it is a gel, but if you look it up, you will see that in fact, it can be just as dangerous. It works really well, no doubt. I was using too much of the extra strength to make up for stopping Aleve and Advil. I think if you use smaller doses in a concentrated area, it would still be better than those, however. It started with stomach discomfort and diarrhea, a slow process. But nonetheless, I was back where I had been before with a burnt stomach lining from too much ibuprofen."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2011

For Pain "The gel helps with the pain, but my stomach was a little upset. I got a mild headache, and I felt very drowsy and out of it. Yes, I know it's the gel, but I still had side effects. I only rubbed in a small amount. I can't swear by it, but I think it also caused me to have several anxiety attacks, which I think are related to the woozy out of it feeling. It says it makes you dizzy on the box."

• LPS...
• January 22, 2021

For Pain "A podiatrist prescribed Voltaren for my Haglund’s deformity, which is a hard bump on the heel. It’s been bothering me for a year but became unbearable recently after three days at Disney. The warning saying not to use the gel for longer than 21 days was worrying, but I started applying it anyway. Honestly, it doesn’t help much. I’m also wearing a compression boot for six weeks and taking a prescription NSAID that’s wreaking havoc on my stomach. But there’s my deformity, hard and round and painful. I hate the thought of surgery, but I also can’t give up walking!"