Created on: 05/21/08 - Email to friend - Print Page

Voltaren: Easing Pain, But Increasing Disease?

Diclofenac (Voltaren) often is one of the first nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prescribed for osteoarthritis (OA) pain. A recent study shows that although it may ease pain and reduce swelling, it may also make hip and knee OA progress.

Researchers in the Netherlands studied the use of various NSAIDs in 1,695 people with OA and tracked the progression of the disease through X-rays or the need for joint replacement. People who took diclofenac for longer than six months had a 2.4-fold increased risk of worsening hip OA and a 3.2-fold increased risk of worsening knee OA.

Studies of other NSAIDs, including aspirin, celecoxib (Celebrex), ibuoprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), have shown delayed healing of bones and connective tissues, like cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Researchers are not yet sure if the medications are harming tissues, or if people are doing too much after their pain is relieved by the medication and causing further damage.