Voltaren Gel in Canada

[Plum Hill]

Is Voltaren Gel 2.3% available OTC in Canada?
As a US resident, would I be carded for residency (which would require a prescription)?

[Black Dog]

the 1.16% is readily available but I do not know about the 2.3%.

[Safepants]

IMG_7440.jpg
it’s just on the regular counter at Shoppers Drug Mart. This location is next to a seniors home so the joint pain is sold out
The blue extra strength is the 2.3%

[eddief]

a get it pretty cheap on medicare but here's what it costs for normal folks at costco. bend over America. don't forget to vote.

Generic Alternative:
Diclofenac Sodium 3 % Gel Glen
Mfr.

GLENMARK P
100 grams

$95.62
200 grams

$175.08
300 grams

$252.21

or 1%:
Generic Alternative:
Diclofenac Sodium 1 % Gel Amne
Mfr.

AMNEAL PHA
100 grams

$35.23
200 grams

$62.05
300 grams

$88.72

[Plum Hill]

As a followup, I had been prescribed Pennsaid 2% a few years back for knee pain. It worked great. Cost is $2600/bottle. Use as directed and that’s 2 bottles per month. Pennsaid reformulated from 1.5% to 2% so they could extend their patent.
Both use diclophenac as the active ingredient, so I think Voltaren 2.3% would have the same effect. 1% doesn’t cut it.

I couldn’t get a script from surgeon at last visit. He has no answer for inflammation and muscle tightness but doesn’t seem willing to help. I’m currently on 200mg Celebrex.

[Black Dog]

Crazy!

Someone texted this to me today. Seems like ransom is "It's just business"

[Plum Hill]

Originally Posted by Safepants

it’s just on the regular counter at Shoppers Drug Mart. This location is next to a seniors home so the joint pain is sold out
The blue extra strength is the 2.3%

On sale, too.

[Safepants]

Originally Posted by Plum Hill

On sale, too.

haha isn't it always on sale with the exchange rate difference too!

[Road Fan]

We bought a tube of the standard Voltaren last summer in Ontario. We were there for vacation and had shopped our feet to the bone. Went into the first local drugstore, bought it at the checkout, and annointed our feet in the car.

As an American you need appropriate ID to enter Canada and return to USA, but there's no ID requested at the drugstore. No name taking.

[rlanger]

Originally Posted by Plum Hill

As a followup, I had been prescribed Pennsaid 2% a few years back for knee pain. It worked great. Cost is $2600/bottle. Use as directed and that’s 2 bottles per month. Pennsaid reformulated from 1.5% to 2% so they could extend their patent.
Both use diclophenac as the active ingredient, so I think Voltaren 2.3% would have the same effect. 1% doesn’t cut it.

I couldn’t get a script from surgeon at last visit. He has no answer for inflammation and muscle tightness but doesn’t seem willing to help. I’m currently on 200mg Celebrex.

I was the Product Manager who launched Pennsaid back in 2003, so really glad to hear it worked for you. It's a great product, and a lifesaver for those who can't tolerate oral NSAIDs.

It's a Canadian product and I think it was about $60 CDN per 60mL bottle at that time we launched it.

Of course, pricing of prescription drugs is regulated in Canada, but $2600!?!? That's insane. How many millilitres was that? Or should I say, litres?

Crazy.

[mtb_frk]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

Crazy!

Someone texted this to me today. Seems like ransom is "It's just business"

I can’t imagine how people without good insurance can afford it. I had an insurance mess up once and I went to get my normally 100% covered insulin, it was going to cost like $1200. Luckily the policy got straightened out, but talk about sticker shock. Something needs to change for sure. You can buy insulin over the counter in Canada for a reasonable price which for me is like a 45min drive.

[fignon's barber]

Originally Posted by Plum Hill

As a followup, I had been prescribed Pennsaid 2% a few years back for knee pain. It worked great. Cost is $2600/bottle. Use as directed and that’s 2 bottles per month. Pennsaid reformulated from 1.5% to 2% so they could extend their patent.
Both use diclophenac as the active ingredient, so I think Voltaren 2.3% would have the same effect. 1% doesn’t cut it.

I couldn’t get a script from surgeon at last visit. He has no answer for inflammation and muscle tightness but doesn’t seem willing to help. I’m currently on 200mg Celebrex.

No reason to have to search Canada for voltaren or use a $2600 drug. Voltaren 3% is generic in the US, and covered at the lowest copay by most insurance companies. Just call your primary care doctor and Ibet he'd give you an rx over the phone.

[Plum Hill]

Found my old receipt from 9/30/16. Pennsaid 2% pump list $2,097.70; copay $100. Same pharmacy gave me the current $2600 list.
I’d like someone to explain how the co-pay card works where some people can get the stuff for nothing. Same applies to the Restasis card. I’m on Medicare so I don’t qualify. Surely our elected officials that wouldn’t let Medicare bargain on drug prices didn’t sell us out.

Not sure about the generic 3%. Pharmacist said they only had 1%.
Compounding pharmacy can mix up to 5%.

Will knock on my GP’s door this week for a visit.

Friend visiting Paris has eight small tubes of 2% for me. One of his traveling companions used some on her feet and is now sold on the stuff.

Thanks to all for information, opinions, and offers.