NSAID Patch...anyone familiar with? | Arthritis Information

Has anyone tried or currently using an NSAID patch? That may very well be an excellent option for me as I can't take Daypro orally any longer due to stomach issues.

Anyway, I'm fighting with some heavy inflammation and intense pain, waiting for my rheumy to call me back and hoping he gives me something to ease the pain and swelling. Wondering if he'll go this route.

Can you be more specific about which NSAID patch?I use the Lidoderm patch on occasion, but, really, its only good for a specific ache; meaning, I don't get a systemic effect from it. Is this what you mean?

Flector. Works great. Uses the NSAID Diclofenac which isn't too common in the U.S. but apparently used extensively in Europe. It has a gel version as well named Voltaren. The patch is a little on the large side and meant more for muscle aches and pain. The gel version was specifically meant for arthritis. The gel wasn't very handy for me because I had no place to carry it around. I put the tube in my laptop bag one time and it ended up squishing out all over everything. I throw a pack of the patches in my computer bag and can use them when needed. Each patch lasts for 12 hours and there are 5 in a pack.

My doctor doesn't want me to use NSAIDs regularly because of all the news that they are not heart healthy. The advantage of the gel or patch is that you apply it only to the area of pain. Only a little bit of the medication is absorbed systemically--somthing like only 2% of the dose is found running around in your body. The medication mostly stays where you apply the patch or gel.

They are expensive. Depending upon your insurance they may have a problem filling a script for the patches from someone with arthritis. My insurance sent them to me but told me that they were non-formularly.

-Tim