Diclofenac sodium overdose

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

Poisoning from an overdose of Voltaren, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• diclofenac

Where Found    Return to top

• Voltaren

Symptoms    Return to top

• body as a whole
  • unsteadiness
• respiratory
  • slow, labored breathing
  • wheezing
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • ringing in the ears
  • blurred vision
• skin
  • rash
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • possible loss of blood in the stomach and intestinal areas
• heart and blood vessels
  • slow or rapid breathing
• nervous system
  • severe headache
  • agitation
  • incoherence (not understandable)
  • confusion
  • coma
  • drowsiness
  • convulsions
  • movement disorder

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed
• if the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number    Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce emesis.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Recovery is very likely.