Question:

Hi guys,

I have arthritis for many years but it is not severe one and I am on Voltaren ER 100 mg everyday when I have pain. The pain resolves for some times and comes back again and again.

I started suffering from the GI side effect of Voltaren recently.

I think of combine fish oil with omega 3 with my regular doses of Voltaren right now for some time until the pain go away and then I plan to take fish oil everyday to control pain as fish oil doesn`t cause much side effect like Voltaren or other NSAIDs in the same group with Voltaren. Before my condition becomes stable, I need to take Voltaren in combination with fish oil for a long time (maybe 4 or 5 months) before I can switch to fish oil alone. I know that fish oil can make my blood thinner and Voltaren can too.

Do Voltaren (as well as other NSAIDs) in combination with fish oil taken for 4 or 5 months can potentiate the thining effect of either blood or is it safe to combine these regimens?

Answer:

While I am not familiar with the use of fish oil to treat arthritis, I was able to find some evidence that it may help some patients. The bleeding risk associated with each of these medications is relatively mild, and you should have no trouble taking both together unless you are on other blood-thinning agents, or are predisposed to bleeding for other reasons.

You may try other medications for the arthritis pain, too. Newer agents, like celecoxib (Celebrex), can help treat your pain with fewer GI side effects. I recommend that you mention these side effects to your physician, and see what suggestions he or she may have.

For more information:

Go to the Pharmacy and Medications health topic.