For one reason or another, we all have to take medication. Headache or stomach, chronic diseases, mood disorders, diabetes; drugs are almost part of everyday life but are anything but consumer products like the others. They have potential side effects and some may even be dangerous for your health.
Voltarene, anti-inflammatory dangerous for health?
Prescribed prescription tablets and suppositories, Voltaren is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to fight against inflammation such as arthritis and rheumatic pain. Its molecule, Diclofenac, the active ingredient of Voltarene, is one of the most used in the world to fight against pain. Voltarene cream is available for sale without a prescription.
In addition to its wide range of use to alleviate pain, Voltarene can pose significant risks to health.
Already in 2013, the ANSM Medicines Agency had asked, via a letter sent to healthcare professionals, to limit the use of Voltarene in order to minimize the cardiovascular risk of this drug, by clearly indicating that Diclofenac presented an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events and that it should be contraindicated in patients with proven congestive heart failure.
Danish study highlights health risks related to Voltarenes
A recent study by the University Hospital of Denmark, published in the British Medical Journal, goes even further on the effects of using Diclofenac by conducting a meta-analysis of 252 studies and focusing on Cardiovascular risks associated with the use of Diclofenac compared to other traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol.
Indeed, the results made it possible to highlight the proven probability of the risks of triggering a serious cardiovascular problem such as a crisis or a cardiac arrest, an arrhythmia, or a stroke; this risk is clearly magnified compared to other drugs. Thus, it would be 50% higher than that incurred by people who do not consume painkillers; 30% higher than in patients taking paracetamol and / or ibuprofen, 20% higher than those treated with naxoprene, another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
In addition, the increased risk was examined for ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiac death, atrial fibrillation or flutter, and heart failure on a panel of individuals from both. sexes and all ages; including with low doses of Diclofenac. The study also revealed a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
This meta-analysis focuses on an observational study. It involves a larger analytical sample than most previous meta-analyzes of observational studies and randomized studies conducted on the subject providing proven and robust data. However, no conclusive conclusion can attest to the causes and effects of the molecule Diclofenac, resulting from Voltarene. But in any case, these data confirm that the initiation of Diclofenac presents a cardiovascular risk, compared to the lack of use, the use of paracetamol and the use of other traditional NSAIDs.
The study's researchers warn that Diclofenac should not be sold over the counter and, when prescribing, should be accompanied by an appropriate and specific warning about potential risks, especially for people with deficiencies. or heart risks.
The dangers of Diclofenac on nature
In a completely different way, the molecule Diclofenac had already made a few mistakes a few years ago. Indeed, in India, raptors and other vultures died after consuming meat that had been treated with this medicine. Raptors acting as "cleaners of nature", their decline had clearly favored the rise and increase of certain diseases, which had the effect of categorically ban the Voltarene of the country.
