A POSTMARKETING SURVEILLANCE STUDY OF (R)VOLTAROL 75 MG SR IN THE PRIMARY-CARE SETTING

A total of 7438 patients suffering from a wide variety of painful cond itions was included in the final analysis of a post-marketing surveill ance (PMS) study monitoring the use of Voltarol 75 mg SR in a primary care setting. Follow-up data were collected at visits conducted one, f our and 12 months after the initial consultation, Improvement of sympt oms was the most common reason for discontinuation of treatment (47% o f patients who discontinued), Adverse events led to the withdrawal of 18% of patients overall. The rate of serious gastrointestinal complica tions was low (0.4%) and deleterious hepatic or renal effects were not apparent. There were significantly more events experienced by female patients and there was a significant effect of age on severe gastroint estinal events. In this PMS study Voltarol 75 mg SR was used successfu lly once or twice daily without any unexpected adverse effects in a ma nner consistent with current recommendations for the use of non-steroi dal anti-inflammatory drugs.