Most of us are aware of the pain that comes with osteoarthritis (OA). The morning tends to come with stiffness, and it could be tough to get out of bed. In simple words, everyday activities may lead to joint aches. Unfortunately, over 32 million US adults end up suffering these symptoms.
When the OA pain strikes, most people go to their local pharmacy and seek relief. They are often given several options, including pain relief gels and creams. But it is about the choice you make. But before you purchase any of these medications, it is better to understand about these medications in detail. Even though they are both certified to be effective in the treatment of arthritis pain, we recommend you get a proper understanding of them first.
In this blog, we will compare the two most popular topical pain relief medications: Voltaren gel and Aspercreme.
What is Aspercreme?
When people hear the name Aspercreme, they think about the pain relief cream available at grocery stores or pharmacies. But Aspercreme is a brand name for a line of pain relieving products that include:
- Patches
- Sprays
- Roll-on solutions
- Creams
- Gels
These topical products are applied on the skin and may contain one of a few ingredients. For this blog, when we talk about Aspercreme, we are throwing light on the original Aspercreme pain relief cream. One of the active ingredients in the original Aspercreme is trolamine salicylate.
Conditions Aspercreme can treat
As per its label, Aspercreme may temporarily relieve mild pain related to the following conditions:
- Cramps
- Bruises
- Sprains or muscle strains
- Backaches
- Arthritis
Working with Aspercreme for arthritis pain
The active ingredient in Aspercreme is trolamine salicylate. It is a medication related to aspirin. Trolamine salicylate stops the enzyme (protein) production, which leads to inflammation (swelling) and pain. Less of these enzymes means less swelling and pain.
Aspercreme only works around the area of its application. So when you use it per the direction, very little medication tends to reach the bloodstream.
What is Voltaren gel?
Voltaren is a brand name for the medication diclofenac. Initially, it was offered to patients in the form of a pill and later as a prescription-only topical gel. Recently, the FDA approved Voltaren gel to be sold as an over-the-counter (OTC) product.
Conditions treated by the Voltaren gel
Voltaren gel can be used to treat joint pains caused by arthritis. However, it is recommended only to use it in the following areas:
- Knees
- Ankles
- Feet
- Elbows
- Wrists
- Hands
How does Voltaren gel work for arthritis pain?
The active ingredient in Voltaren gel is diclofenac. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are known to block down the production of the same enzymes as Aspercreme. It helps in relieving inflammation and pain. Other NSAIDs you may be more familiar with are Aleve (naproxen) and Advil (ibuprofen).
How do you use Voltaren gel and Aspercreme?
Aspercreme is recommended for children and adults over 12 years old. Aspercreme should be used at most 3 to 4 times a day. You should apply a generous amount to the affected area and rub it until the cream gets absorbed into the skin.
Voltaren gel is recommended for adults ages 18 and above. You should apply it to the affected joint (s) four times a day for up to 21 days. After that, only apply to up to two areas of the body once. The gel comes with a dosing card to help you measure the right amount to apply. Upper body areas such as the elbows, wrists, and hands should get 2.25 inches of gel. The lower body areas, such as knees, ankles, and feet, should get 4.5 inches.
Voltaren gel may take up to 7 days to start working. So it would help if you kept going even after a few days. But if no relief happens after the first week, you should stop using it and contact your healthcare provider for the next steps.
As you apply both medications, remember to wash your hands after use. It is also not recommended to tightly bandage the area or apply heat where you apply the medication. It would help if you remembered to avoid applying both topical products to open or broken skin.
Effectiveness of Voltaren gel and Aspercreme for arthritis pain
Even though there aren’t any clinical studies that compare Voltaren gel and Aspercreme, we have tried to review what we know about the effectiveness of each medicine.
Clinical trials for Asper Creme are limited and dated. In contrast, several Voltaren gel studies suggest an effective treatment for arthritis pain. Unfortunately, few experts consider it the first choice for elderly adults with health conditions that may make oral NSAIDs unsafe. However, other studies suggest the effectiveness of arthritis pain but still provide pain relief for a few people.
Known side effects of Voltaren gel and Aspercreme
Side effects could always be a top concern with any prescription or OTC medication. But both Voltaren and Aspercreme gel are well-tolerated. Things to watch for are new or worsening burning, irritation, or redness when you apply the medication. If you experience any of these issues, you should wash off the area with cold water and contact the healthcare provider.
What are the severe side effects of Voltaren gel and Aspercreme
Less active ingredients in the Voltaren gel and Aspercreme are absorbed into the bloodstream if you compare them to oral pain relievers. So when you use it per the direction, the risk of severe side effects could be quite low.
For Aspercreme, avoid using the product if you have any allergy to salicylates or aspirin. The reason is that Aspercreme contains salicylate, which carries a risk for Reye’s syndrome in children. Reye’s syndrome is one serious condition that leads to brain damage in children after they take aspirin products. It would help if you remembered that Asper Creme is not recommended for children ages 12 or below.
Avoid using Voltaren gel if you are allergic to other NSAIDs, like naproxen or ibuprofen. You should also remember to avoid using Voltaren gel if you are expected to have or recently have had bypass surgery. Use of NSAIDs around the time of this kind of surgery may raise the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Remember to talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about your unique health conditions.
What interactions do Voltaren gel and Aspercreme have?
Usually, there are not many interactions to worry about with Voltaren gel and Aspercreme. The listed interactions for Voltaren gel are based on the information about oral diclofenac. As only a few medications reach your bloodstream with Voltaren gel, its effects on the other medications are minimal. However, you should still review your current medication list with the pharmacist and healthcare provider before you start it.
The top concern of using topical medications with other products with similar ingredients. Using oral NSAID or topical products like naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin tends to raise the risk of bleeding, including stomach bleeding.
The next question that may come up is whether you may continue the use of other topical medications like topical corticosteroids. It is specifically true if you are applying the medicines to the same area of the body. Using multiple topical medications may change how one or both work. You can also ask your healthcare provider if you can use your topical medicines together.
How do you save on Voltaren gel and Aspercreme?
Voltaren gel and Aspercreme are inexpensive, come with generic versions to help save your money, and are available without a prescription. However, you may download an RX discount card if you ask your healthcare provider to write up a prescription for either medicine. It may help you save more.
With a good pharmacy discount card, a large (85 gm) tube of generic medication may cost even less than $10. Similarly, a large tube of generic medication may cost less than $5 with a prescription discount card.
Can Voltaren gel and Aspercreme be used together for arthritis?
We would not recommend it. The active ingredients in Voltaren gel and Aspercreme work in similar ways. If you combine them, it will raise the risk of more serious side effects. Additionally, the label Aspercreme warns not to use it simultaneously or like other topical pain relievers. Thus, we recommend you use only one product at a time.
Conclusion
Both Voltaren gel and Aspercreme could be the best and most effective choices for relieving arthritis pain in adults. These OTC topical medicines could be a better alternative if you cannot take oral pain relievers like naproxen or ibuprofen. In addition, these medications are considered safe for many people when they are used per the instructions.
The risk of medication interactions and side effects with Voltaren gel and Aspercreme is relatively low. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider about your unique health conditions to see if these products would be helpful in case the situation arises.
You can download the best pharmacy discount card if you are looking for discounts on prescription medications.
