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Dr. Alexandra LaStella, PharmD, RPh
alexandra.lastella14@gmail.com
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Dr. Saba Arshad, PharmD, RPh​
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Lastella A, Arshad S. Does OTC diclofenac gel meet therapeutic needs? A dose-response review in neuropathic & inflammatory pain management. J Scrip Pharm. Published online January 31, 2025. doi: 10.70390/U62WQHVM
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Does OTC Diclofenac Gel Meet Therapeutic Needs? A Dose-Response Review in Neuropathic & Inflammatory Pain Management
Abstract
Diclofenac (VOLTAREN) was synthesized in 1973 and is the most widely prescribed NSAID worldwide. Subsequently, transdermal diclofenac sodium (TDS) emerged as a promising therapeutic option for localized pain management, offering a targeted approach with negligible plasma/systemic exposure. Through a comprehensive analysis of applicable pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutic studies, this review aims to clarify the dose and formula optimization of TDS preparations. Our findings suggest that TDS 1.5-2% may not only enhance local bioavailability and analgesic efficacy, but may also relieve neuropathic pain—a novel application for this drug class. To validate our inferred conclusions, further investigation into the dose-response and antiangiogenic attributes of transdermal NSAIDs are required to substantiate the applicability of TDS in neuropathy.