Medicine guide

Arthritis Pain Reliever

10 mg/g · Gel

  • Available without prescription
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
Active substance
Diclofenac Sodium
Made by
H E B

Quoted from the official source. Not yet reviewed by Mediclarum — the leaflet in your pack is authoritative.

At a glance

Quoted from the official label · 2025-11-17

What it is

Arthritis pain reliever

Used for
  • Hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas)
Do not take it if

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other pain reliever or to a fever reducer

All warnings ↓
Good to know
  • Sold without a prescription
  • FDA enforcement reports list no ongoing recall, and none from the last two years, for this product code · checked 2026-10-01
217other products contain Diclofenac Sodium — compare makers, forms and strengths

Every line above is selected, not written, from the official label. Nothing is reworded. DailyMed

What it is for

for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas:

  • hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas)
  • foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas)
  • this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.

From the official label · 2025-11-17 · DailyMed

How it works

From the US prescribing label for the same active substance (Diclofenac Sodium Delayed Release). It describes the substance, not this exact product.

Diclofenac has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties.

The mechanism of action of diclofenac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).

Half-life2 h
Mostly cleared after≈ 10 hfive half-lives — our arithmetic
How it leaves the body

Little or no free unchanged diclofenac is excreted in the urine.

With food

Food has no significant effect on the extent of diclofenac absorption.

Quoted from the prescribing label, sections “Mechanism of Action” and “Pharmacokinetics”. DailyMed · 2026-02-06

Do not take it if

  • if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other pain reliever or to a fever reducer
  • for strains, sprains, bruises or sports injuries. This product has not been shown to work for these types of injuries.
  • right before or after heart surgery
  • on more than 2 body areas at the same time
  • in the eyes, nose or mouth

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Do Not Use”.

How to take it

These directions are for this exact strength and form. Another one is different.

  • Use up to 21 days unless directed by your doctor
  • Not for strains, sprains, bruises or sports injuries. This product has not been shown to work for these types of injuries.
  • Daily
  • Per Dose
  • For your arthritis pain:
  • Use 4 times per day every day
  • Do not use on more than 2 body areas at the same time
  • Use ENCLOSED DOSING CARD to measure a dose
  • For each upper body area (hand, wrist, or elbow) – Squeeze out 2.25 inches (2 grams)
  • For each lower body area (foot, ankle or knee) – Squeeze out 4.5 inches (4 grams)
  • Read the enclosed User Guide for complete instructions:
  • use only as directed
  • do not use more than directed or for longer than directed
  • apply only to clean, dry skin that does not have any cuts, open wounds, infections or rashes
  • do not apply in the same area as any other product
  • do not apply with external heat such as heating pad
  • do not apply a bandage over the treated area
  • store ENCLOSED DOSING CARD with your Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1% product. The dosing card is re-usable.

Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage & Administration”.

Ask a doctor first if

  • you have problems or serious side effects from taking pain relievers or fever reducers
  • stomach bleeding warning applies to you
  • you have a history of stomach problems, such as heartburn
  • you have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, asthma, or had a stroke
  • you are taking a diuretic
  • you are under age 18 years. It is not known if this drug works or is safe in children under age 18 years.

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Ask Doctor”.

Ask a pharmacist first if

  • under a doctor’s care for any serious condition
  • taking any other drug

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Ask Doctor/Pharmacist”.

Stop and get help if

  • pain gets worse or lasts more than 21 days
  • redness or swelling is present in the painful area
  • fever occurs
  • skin irritation occurs
  • any new symptoms appear. These could be signs of a serious condition.
  • you experience any of the following signs of stomach bleeding:
  • feel faint
  • have bloody or black stools
  • vomit blood
  • have stomach pain that does not get better
  • you have symptoms of heart problems or stroke:
  • chest pain
  • trouble breathing
  • leg swelling
  • weakness in one part or side of body
  • slurred speech

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Stop Use”.

Other warnings

  • For external use only
  • Allergy alert: Diclofenac may cause a severe allergic reaction, especially in people allergic to aspirin.
  • Symptoms may include:
  • hives
  • asthma (wheezing)
  • skin reddening
  • blisters
  • facial swelling
  • shock
  • rash
  • If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away.
  • Liver warning: This product contains diclofenac. Liver damage may occur if you apply
  • more or for a longer time than directed
  • when using other drugs containing diclofenac
  • Stomach bleeding warning: This product contains an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding. The chance is small but higher if you
  • are age 60 or older
  • have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems
  • take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug
  • take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others)
  • have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product
  • apply more or for longer than directed
  • Heart attack and stroke warning: NSAIDs, except aspirin, increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. These can be fatal. The risk is higher is you use more than directed or for longer than directed.
  • avoid contact with eyes, nose, or mouth
  • if eye contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water

Quoted from the official label, section “Warnings”.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use diclofenac at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Pregnancy or Breast Feeding”.

Keep away from children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222).

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Keep Out of Reach of Children”.

What kind of medicine it is

Arthritis pain reliever

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Purpose”.

Other ingredients

Relevant if you react to a dye, a preservative, lactose or gluten.

carbomer homopolymer Type C, cocoyl caprylocaprate, fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, mineral oil, polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether, propylene glycol, purified water, strong ammonia solution

Quoted from the official label, section “Inactive Ingredients”.

Same active substance, strength and form in other countries

Matched on active substance, strength and kind of form only. This is not a statement that the products are equivalent or interchangeable: other ingredients, release and approved uses can differ — ask a pharmacist before swapping.

Medicine passport: one printable page to show a pharmacist abroad

BulgariaNo exact match for this strength and form

CanadaNo exact match for this strength and form

Details

Made byH E B
Active substanceDiclofenac Sodium
Used inMuscles, joints and bones
Strength10 mg/g
FormGel
RouteTopical
Packs1 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 100 g in 1 TUBE · 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 50 g in 1 TUBE
NDC37808-087
NDC59640-198

Source: NDC Directory · 2026-09-13 · not reviewed by a clinician

Source: US Food and Drug Administration, NDC Directory. Reuse terms: US government work (FDA).

Other strengths and forms

11 products are sold under this name. Grouped by form; a number on a strength means several companies make it.

Same active substance

These contain the same substance. That does not mean one can replace another — ask a pharmacist.