Espengel (Diclofenac Sodium)

Adult use

Apply 2 - 4g to the affected area 3 - 4 times daily, rubbing lightly to help it absorb well.

This medication should not be used by individuals allergic to its components or those who have experienced allergic reactions in the past. It should also be avoided by individuals allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and those with a history of asthma attacks. It is safest not to use this product in children under 6 years of age and during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Patients with bronchial asthma should be cautious as this medication may exacerbate asthma attacks. This medication can cause serious side effects on the skin; if symptoms such as rash, itching, or skin peeling occur, it should be immediately discontinued and consulted with a doctor. Prolonged use on large areas may also result in systemic side effects such as skin rash, photosensitivity reactions, and respiratory difficulties. This medication helps alleviate symptoms but does not fundamentally treat inflammation, so underlying treatment should be considered. When using it on infected skin, care should be taken to use it with antibiotics or antifungals to prevent worsening of the infection and to monitor closely. For diseases like chronic arthritis, other treatment methods should be combined with the medication, and side effects should be carefully observed. This medication may affect renal function when used with certain diuretics, so blood pressure and kidney status should be closely monitored. There is a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers, so in cases of gastrointestinal disorders or when taken with anticoagulants like warfarin, signs of bleeding should be carefully checked. In particular, elderly individuals are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and should therefore use it with greater caution. This medication should not be used continuously for more than 2 weeks, and the therapeutic effect and side effects should be reassessed after use. In the last three months of pregnancy, serious side effects such as delayed childbirth and newborn bleeding may occur, so it is not used. In early to mid-pregnancy, its safety is not clearly established, and it should only be used at the minimum dose and for the shortest duration necessary. This medication may interfere with female ovulation, so women planning to become pregnant or undergoing infertility tests should use it cautiously. Breastfeeding women are advised not to use this medication as it can be transmitted through breast milk. Its safety has not been established for children under 6 years old, so it is advisable not to use it. Elderly patients have a higher risk of heart, gastrointestinal, and renal side effects, so it should be used cautiously at the minimum dose and with careful attention to side effects. In cases of overdose, symptoms such as hypotension, renal failure, convulsions, gastrointestinal discomfort, and respiratory depression may appear, and in such cases, immediate medical treatment should be sought. It should not be applied to areas with skin injuries, infections, or eczema, and it is safer not to cover with a sealed bandage. Caution should be taken as applying it to damaged skin may cause temporary irritation or tingling sensations.

Serious side effects

• Exfoliative dermatitis
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• toxic epidermal necrolysis
• severe skin adverse reactions
• respiratory difficulties
• asthma
• asthma attacks
• severe swelling
• gastrointestinal bleeding
• ulcers

Mild side effects

Itching, redness, stinging, dermatitis (rash, eczema, papules, vesicles, contact dermatitis, swelling), skin peeling, roughness, irritation, blister formation, rarely pigmentation, generalized skin rash, photosensitivity, vascular edema, skin irritation and tingling, gastrointestinal discomfort.

Drug interactions

This medication may interact with loop diuretics (such as furosemide) and thiazide diuretics. Caution is needed when used with drugs that interfere with hemostasis (like warfarin) and antiplatelet agents (like aspirin). Co-administration with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors should also be discussed with a physician or pharmacist.

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to avoid exposure to air or moisture. It is advisable to maintain a storage temperature between 1 degree and 30 degrees Celsius at room temperature.

Appearance

Colorless transparent gel

Package unit

50g/tube