What is Solaraze?
Solaraze Gel is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used on the skin (topical) to treat a skin condition called actinic keratosis.
Solaraze Gel is not for use in children.
What is the most important information I should know about Solaraze?
Solaraze Gel is an NSAID medicine that is used on the skin only (topical). Do not use Solaraze Gel in or on the eyes.
NSAIDs can cause serious side effects, including:
- Increased risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk may happen early in treatment and may increase:
- with increasing doses of NSAIDs
- with longer use of NSAIDs
Do not take or use NSAIDs right before or after a heart surgery called a “coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)”. Avoid taking NSAIDs after a recent heart attack, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. You may have an increased risk of another heart attack if you take or use NSAIDs after a recent heart attack.
- Increased risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) of the esophagus (tube leading from the mouth to the stomach), stomach and intestines:
- anytime during use
- without warning symptoms
- that may cause death
The risk of getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with: - past history of stomach ulcers, or stomach or intestinal bleeding with use of NSAIDs
- taking medicines called “corticosteroids”, “anticoagulants”, “SSRIs”, or “SNRIs”
- increasing doses of NSAIDs
- longer use of NSAIDs
- smoking
- drinking alcohol
- older age
- poor health
- advanced liver disease
- bleeding problems
NSAIDs should only be used:
- exactly as prescribed
- at the lowest dose possible for your treatment
- for the shortest time needed
Who should not use Solaraze?
Do not use Solaraze Gel:
- if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in Solaraze Gel. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Solaraze Gel.
- right before or after heart bypass surgery.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Solaraze?
Before using Solaraze Gel, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have liver or kidney problems
- have high blood pressure
- have asthma
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are considering taking NSAIDs during pregnancy. You should not take or use NSAIDs after 29 weeks of pregnancy.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will use Solaraze Gel or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. NSAIDs and some other medicines can interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Do not start taking any new medicine without talking to your healthcare provider first.
How should I use Solaraze?
Use Solaraze Gel exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
- Apply Solaraze Gel 2 times a day.
- Apply enough Solaraze Gel to cover each skin lesion and gently rub in.
- Solaraze Gel may be used for 60 to 90 days. You may not see improvement of skin lesions for up to 30 days after stopping treatment. See your healthcare provider if lesions do not respond to treatment.
- Wash your hands after applying Solaraze Gel.
What should I avoid while using Solaraze?
- Avoid spending time in sunlight or artificial light, such as tanning beds or sunlamps. Solaraze Gel can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and the light from tanning beds and sunlamps.
- You should avoid applying Solaraze Gel to open skin wounds, skin infections, or peeling skin.
What are the possible side effects of Solaraze?
Solaraze and other NSAIDs can cause serious side effects, including:
- See “What is the most important information I should know about Solaraze Gel?"
- new or worse high blood pressure
- heart failure
- liver problems including liver failure
- kidney problems including kidney failure
- low red blood cells (anemia)
- life-threatening skin reactions
- life threatening allergic reactions
Other side effects of NSAIDs include: stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- chest pain
- weakness in one part or side of your body
- slurred speech
- swelling of the face or throat
Stop using Solaraze Gel and call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
- nausea
- more tired or weaker than usual
- diarrhea
- itching
- your skin or eyes look yellow
- indigestion or stomach pain
- flu-like symptoms
- vomit blood
- there is blood in your bowel movement or it is black and sticky like tar
- unusual weight gain
- skin rash or blisters with fever
- swelling of the arms, legs, hands and feet
Application site skin reactions are common with Solaraze Gel and include: skin redness, itching, rash, dry skin, scaling, and peeling.
If Solaraze Gel is accidentally taken by mouth, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away. These are not all the possible side effects of NSAIDs. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about NSAIDs.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other information about NSAIDs
Aspirin is an NSAID but it does not increase the chance of a heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
Some NSAIDs are sold in lower doses without a prescription (over-the-counter). Talk to your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.
General information about the safe and effective use of Solaraze
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use Solaraze Gel for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Solaraze Gel to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
If you would like more information about Solaraze Gel, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Solaraze Gel that is written for health professionals.
How should I store Solaraze?
Store Solaraze Gel at room temperature 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Keep Solaraze Gel away from heat. Avoid freezing Solaraze Gel.
Keep Solaraze Gel and all medicines out of the reach of children.
What are the ingredients in Solaraze?
Active ingredient: diclofenac sodium
Inactive ingredient: benzyl alcohol, hyaluronate sodium, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and purified water.
For more information, go to www.pharmaderm.com or call 1-800-645-9833.
