Most side effects of Solaraze Gel are mild to moderate and go away once treatment is finished.
The most common side effects of Solaraze Gel are skin reactions such as:
- itching
- redness
- irritation
- rash
- dryness
- scaling or peeling
Tell your doctor if any side effect is bothersome or does not go away.
If you use too much, or if this medication is swallowed, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Do not use Solaraze Gel if you are allergic to diclofenac (the active ingredient), any inactive ingredients, or aspirin.
Solaraze Gel contains an NSAID medication, and although it is applied to the skin, some of the medication is absorbed into the blood stream. NSAIDs have been linked to stomach and intestinal bleeding, ulcers, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, allergic reactions, and worsening asthma. Solaraze Gel can cause these NSAID side effects, even though it is not taken by mouth.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of ulcers or bleeding including:
- black, tarry stools
- blood in stools
- stomach pain
- vomiting blood
Call 911 if you experience heart attack symptoms:
- chest discomfort (uncomfortable pressure, fullness, or pain in chest)
- shortness of breath
Before using Solaraze Gel, tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic to any medications, foods, or dyes
- have asthma or nasal polyps
- have heart, liver, or kidney disease
- have ulcers or stomach bleeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Solaraze (generic: diclofenac) Gel is a prescription medication used to treat a skin condition called actinic keratosis (AK), caused by too much exposure to strong sunlight over a period of years. Actinic Keratoses are dry, scaly, precancerous patches on the skin found most often on the face, lips, ears, scalp, neck, backs of hands and forearms, feet, shoulders and back.
Solaraze Gel belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are thought to work for the treatment of AK by blocking an enzyme to reduce inflammation.
This medication comes in gel form and is applied to affected skin twice daily, for 60 to 90 days.
Common side effects include mild skin reactions such as itching, redness, and irritation.
Solaraze comes in the form of a gel to be applied to the skin twice daily for 60 to 90 days. Use Solaraze Gel exactly as prescribed. Do not use more or less of it, or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
How to use Solaraze Gel:
- Wash your hands.
- Apply a small amount of Solaraze Gel on the affected skin, covering it completely, gently smoothing the gel on affected area.
- Use Solaraze Gel twice daily; apply it in the morning before dressing and at night before going to bed.
- Wash your hands after applying the gel. Do not rub or touch your eyes before washing your hands.
What to avoid:
- Be careful not to get this medication in your eyes if you are applying it to your face.
- Do not apply Solaraze Gel to open wounds (broken skin), infections, or red, scaly skin.
- Wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- Do not use sunscreens, cosmetics, or other medications applied to the skin during Solaraze Gel treatment.
- Do not cover treated areas with dressings or bandages.
Active ingredient: diclofenac sodium
Inactive ingredients: water, benzyl alcohol, hyaluronate sodium
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Solaraze Gel is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Solaraze Gel will harm your unborn baby.
Store Solaraze Gel at room temperature 15-30°C (59-86°F).
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- other NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
- ‘blood thinners’ such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
This is not a complete list of Solaraze Gel drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
The recommended Solaraze Gel dosage is the amount of gel necessary to cover the lesion applied twice daily. The gel should be smoothed gently onto the skin.
The recommended length of therapy is 60 to 90 days. Some people will see improvement in just 30 days, while others may not see results until 30 days after finishing treatment.
Solaraze Gel is a prescription medicine used to treat actinic keratosis (AK).
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Solaraze Gel there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Solaraze Gel.