What Is Voltaren Ophthalmic?
Voltaren Ophthalmic
® (
diclofenac eye drops) is a prescription medication approved for treating pain, inflammation, and sensitivity to light due to certain eye surgeries.
Who Makes Voltaren Ophthalmic?
Brand-name Voltaren Ophthalmic is made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Voltaren Ophthalmic belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs). Like other NSAIDs, it works by blocking a specific enzyme known as cyclo-oxygenase (COX) and by blocking the production of various inflammatory substances in the body.
When and How to Take Voltaren Ophthalmic
Some general considerations for those taking Voltaren Opthalmic include the following:
- Voltaren Ophthalmic comes as an eye drop that is usually taken four times a day.
- In order to prevent contamination of the drops, do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, including the surface of the eye.
- You should not wear soft contact lenses (except "bandage" type lenses especially for use after surgery) while taking this medicine.
- For the drops to work properly, they must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of
Voltaren Ophthalmic your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on the type of eye surgery. As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Just like any medicine, Voltaren Ophthalmic may cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.
In studies, the most commonly reported side effects of Voltaren Ophthalmic included:
- Burning
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Eye tearing problems.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
Voltaren Ophthalmic if you have:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
- Had multiple eye surgeries in a short period of time
- Dry eyes
- Bleeding problems (or are taking a blood-thinning medication)
- Any allergies, including allergies to medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Overdose on Voltaren Ophthalmic?
An overdose with this medication is not normally expected to cause serious effects, as little of the medication is absorbed from the eye to the rest of the body. Significant problems are unlikely to occur, even if the medication was taken by mouth (as might occur with a young child or a pet), as an entire bottle of Voltaren Ophthalmic contains only a small amount of
diclofenac (the active ingredient).
Nevertheless, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone else may have taken too much Voltaren Ophthalmic or any other medication.
How Should This Medication Be Stored?
Voltaren Ophthalmic should be stored at room temperature. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Voltaren Ophthalmic comes in one strength -- Voltaren Ophthalmic 0.1 percent solution (1 mg per mL), in 2.5- and 5-mL bottles.
Is There a Generic Version of Voltaren Ophthalmic?
