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Voltaren Gel for Gout – Does it WORK?

When gout decided to display its fury, there is this tempting sensation; a desire to rub the affected joint. You know that the rubbing will not take the pain away, but somehow this sensation wins and make you rub and rub and rub! What if I tell you that with the proper medication, this rubbing can remove the pain?
This article aims to explain Voltaren Gel for gout. Does it work? Will it reduce the pain and inflammation? Or maybe it is just another of those useless meds for gout? Read on to find out more.

Voltaren

Voltaren is a brand name for diclofenac, a type of NSAID or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. You have probably deduced it from the name itself – that Voltaren is used to treat inflammation and pain. With that thought in mind, one can arrive to the conclusion that Voltaren can indeed be used for gout. After all, the primary suffering gout attacks give is the unbearable pain alongside the irritating inflammation.

Voltaren is usually taken orally but in the case of Voltaren gel, it is used topically. This means that if you want to use Voltaren gel for gout, you simply have to apply it to the affected joint. Very comparable to a magic elixir right? Wrong.


Voltaren Gel for Gout

The actual performance of Voltaren gel does not live up to its heroic-sounding name. The truth is, it is quite better compared to other NSAIDs in a sense that induces less side effects but is usually outperformed due to the fact that its base is sodium salt and not potassium salt. Many other NSAIDs use potassium salt which is way faster. Hence, if you somehow decided to use Voltaren Gel for gout, the flare-up will not immediately subside but you can expect less stomach damage. Wait, did I just mention stomach damage?

All NSAIDs can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract as the epithelium of the stomach is thinned. There are not exemptions to this. ALL NSAIDs can and WILL inflict such damage to the stomach. This has something to do with the mechanism which it utilize in order to relieve pain.
Voltaren gel treats pain and inflammation by removing the capability of the body to feel the pain and ignite the inflammation. Voltaren disrupts cyclooxygenase.

Cyclooxygenase

This enzyme is responsible for converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. While this string of text seems quite complex, it is actually simple. I will explain it in human language.
When something undesirable happens, such as when uric acid crystallizes in the joints, cells die. When cells die, they release arachidonic acid. By itself, arachidonic acid is useless unless it is converted into prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are responsible for a variety of things such as raising your body temperature, making you more sensitive to pain and inducing inflammation. In short, you owe your gout flare-ups to the prostaglandins! Don’t be too harsh on them though. It is a survival
If cyclooxygenase is disrupted, the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins is disrupted as well. This means goodbye to gout attack! Unfortunately, this can also mean goodbye to your precious stomach. A specific type of cyclooxygenase called cox-1 is responsible for maintaining the epithelium of the stomach. If disrupted, it can lead to the degradation of the epithelium. Say Hi to Ulcer and gastrointestinal bleeding. The degree of epithelium degradation inflicted by diclofenac is not as worse as that of other NSAID because it avoids cox-1. No cox-1 inhibition means no epithelium destruction which then means no stomach problems!

Conclusion

Based on its mechanism, applying Voltaren Gel for gout makes sense. It deforms cyclooxygenase which will give you pain and inflammation. However, its effects are limited because it is in topical form and because it uses sodium salt for its base. Unfortunately, Voltaren gel will only be a TEMPORARY solution. It will never lower uric acid. Hence, you can never expect that it will cure your gout. Why settle for something that will NOT cure your gout? The side effects are truly not worth it. Look for something that will treat your gout once and for all! Eliminate acidosis and cure your gout!

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