How Voltaren gel works, how to use it, and what to use it for

Voltaren gels are designed to:

  1. Relieve pain
  2. Fight inflammation
Woman squeezes Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly for pain relief into her hand

Voltaren gels deliver diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), specially formulated as an Emulgel which penetrates through the skin to the root of your pain. Unlike gels that may... have a sensorial effect (providing a cooling or heating feeling) or even heat patches that provide heat to the affected area, Voltaren gels are clinically proven not only to relieve pain but also to reduce inflammation at its source.

The active ingredient in our gels penetrates deep into the skin and targets delivery directly to the affected tissue underlying the treated area. Voltaren gels penetrate the skin to the underlying tissues and treat the cause of pain. As diclofenac accumulates under the skin, it acts as a reservoir from where there is a sustained release of drug into underlying tissues.

Voltaren Emulgel formula combines the qualities of a gel and a cream, that has an appealing smell, is easy to rub in and rapidly absorbed, and even provides a cooling and soothing effect when applied to the skin. Delivering pain relief to help you get back to the movement that you love!

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Voltaren pain relief gels

There are three products in the Voltaren gel range: Voltaren Emulgel, Voltaren Emulgel No Mess Applicator and Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly. They work to relieve pain and reduce inflammation or swelling in the muscle and joints, freeing you to do the things you love.

Voltaren Emulgel Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly
  • With Emulgel technology which allows the active ingredient to penetrate through the skin to the point of pain
  • With Emulgel technology with an added permeation enhancer allowing more active ingredient to penetrate through the skin deep to the point of pain
  • Contains 1.16% of diclofenac diethylamine in a gel form
  • Contains double the concentration of diclofenac diethylamine, 2.32%, and lasts longer than the 1.16% gel
  • Suitable for 3-4 applications a day
  • Only needs to be applied twice a day, morning and evening

Can be applied for up to:

  • 2 weeks for soft tissue injuries (e.g. sprains, strains, bruises) or soft tissue rheumatism

Can be applied for up to:

  • 3 weeks for mild osteoarthritis pain of the knees and fingers

Voltaren Emulgel for effective local pain relief

Packshot Voltaren Emulgel

Find out how Voltaren Emulgel brings you targeted local relief for muscle pain and reduces inflammation - to help get you moving sooner!*
*Compared with placebo

Learn more

Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly for mild osteoarthritis pain

Packshot Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly

Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 hourly provides up to 12 hours relief from mild osteoarthritis pain of the knees and fingers, with an easy-open cap

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What are Voltaren gels used for?

Voltaren gels are used for getting you on the path to joyful movement with less pain. You can use Voltaren on minor injuries, aches and pains as well joint pain. It is great for knee pain relief, shoulder pain relief, wrist pain relief, back pain, other muscle pain relief and joint pain relief, as well.

You can use Voltaren gels for relief from muscular back pain, knee pain strains, muscular shoulder pain, hip pain strains or joint pain, specifically:

  • Relief of pain, inflammation, and swelling in:
    • Soft-tissue injuries or trauma of the tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. These can be due to sprains, strains, bruises and backache caused by everyday injuries; or even tired or inflamed muscles that can occur from regular physical exertion (or if you took it a bit too far!)
    • Localised forms of soft-tissue rheumatism: tendonitis (e.g. tennis elbow), and bursitis

You can use Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly for:

  • Relief of pain from mild osteoarthritis of the knee or fingers.

Always read the label on the product to see what each product is for!

How often can you use Voltaren gels?

How often you can use your Voltaren gel depends on which gel you have chosen in accordance with your needs. Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly has a higher concentration of the pain-relieving anti-inflammatory dicloflenac than Voltaren Emulgel, and can be applied once every 12 hours. It also has added permeation enhancer that means more pain relieving active ingredient penetrates the skin and allows it to reach deep into the point of pain. Voltaren Emulgel has a lower concentration of dicloflenac, and can be applied once every 4 hours.

Product How often can I use it?
  • Voltaren Emulgel
  • Every 4-6 hours, 3 to 4 times daily
  • Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly
  • Every 12 hours, morning and evening

You should not use Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly to relieve the pain of mild osteoarthritis for more than three weeks unless otherwise recommended by your doctor. If the pain and swelling do not improve within 7 days, or if they get worse, tell your doctor. If you have a pre-existing condition or are taking other medication, always consult with your doctor to check if it is suitable for you to take products containing NSAIDs.

Always consult the leaflet that came in the box before using.

How to use Voltaren gel?

Here is how to use Voltaren gel. It’s easy.

Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly with Easy Open Cap Voltaren Emulgel with twist off cap Voltaren Emulgel No Mess Applicator
Tamper evident tabs located on each side of the flip-top cap will break when the cap is opened for the first time. Before first use check if the tamper evident tabs are not broken. Twist off the cap of your Voltaren Emulgel tube, the first time you use it break the tamper seal using the indent in the top of the cap. The first time you use the tube you’ll have to break the tamper-evidence seal. To remove the seal before first use, remove the transparent protective cover and then unscrew the applicator. Use the star-shape groove located at the side of the applicator to remove the tamper evidence seal of the tube. Screw the applicator back on the tube before dispensing the gel.

Just flip the cap lid.

Use a finger, thumb, side of your hand or even edge of a table against the underside of the cap lid to open the flip-top cap. Easy peasy!

Just twist off the cap. Then squeeze out the amount of gel you need. To open, simply pull up the white part of the applicator and squeeze the gel through onto the pad to apply.

How much Voltaren gel can I apply?

Voltaren gel delivers diclofenac, an effective anti-inflammatory, directly to the source of your pain. That’s why a little bit goes a long way. Apply between a cherry and walnut size amount, depending on the size of your affected area.

How long does Voltaren gel take to relieve pain?

It doesn’t take long for Voltaren to get to work. For neck pain relief, for instance, a study shows that Voltaren reduces the pain felt upon movement, after just one hour of application; and that it cuts pain in half within 24 hours.22

Explore Voltaren’s products for pain relief

Let’s help get you moving freely again. Try our range of medicated Voltaren gels, tablets and liquid capsules for effective pain relief. Find out which is suitable for you.

Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly for mild osteoarthritis pain

Packshot Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly

Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 hourly provides up to 12 hours relief from mild osteoarthritis pain of the knees and fingers, with an easy-open cap

Learn more

Voltaren Emulgel for effective local pain relief

Packshot Voltaren Emulgel

Find out how Voltaren Emulgel brings you targeted local relief for muscle pain and reduces inflammation - to help get you moving sooner!*
*Compared with placebo

Learn more

Voltaren Emulgel with No Mess Applicator

Packshot Voltaren Emulgel with No Mess Applicator

Find out how Voltaren Emulgel with No Mess Applicator brings you targeted local relief for muscle pain and reduces inflammation - to help get you moving sooner!* The innovative no mess applicator allows easy, clean application of Voltaren Emulgel directly on the point of pain. *Compared with placebo

Learn more