Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

← Back to all medicines

Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Diclofenac diethylamine may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Diclofenac diethylamine

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

and 1 more with the same active substance, strength and form

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

How to take it

Diclofenac liver function as well as patients with Diethylamine Gel active peptic ulcers in the stomach or Always use this medicine exactly as duodenum.

described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Adults and adolescents 14 years and over Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel is used 3 – 4 times a day. Depending on the size of the affected site to be treated, a cherry to walnut-sized quantity, corresponding to 1-4 g of gel is required. The maximum daily dose is 16 g of gel. Elderly patients No special dose adjustment is necessary. If you are elderly, you should pay special attention to side effects and, if necessary, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Impaired kidney or liver function No dose reduction is necessary. Use in children and adolescents (under 14 years) Do not use this medicine in children and adolescents under 14 years of age (see section 2 "Do not use Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel"). Before using for the first time, open as follows: 1. Unscrew the cap from the tube. To open the safety seal of the tube, reverse the cap and engage with the nozzle. Do not use scissors or other sharp objects! 2. Twist and remove the plastic seal from the tube. Use the gel as described in this leaflet. Do not use if the seal is broken.

How to apply:

Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel is for use only on your skin. Apply the gel to the affected parts of the body thinly and rub gently into the skin. After application: Unless they are the site being treated, the hands should be wiped with a tissue and then washed, to avoid accidental contact with the mouth and eyes. The tissue should be disposed of in the household waste and not in the toilet to prevent the product reaching the wastewater system. Before dressing or applying a non-airtight bandage, let the gel dry for a few minutes on the skin. If you need to shower or to bathe, apply the product afterwards. Duration of treatment: The duration of use depends on the symptoms and the underlying disease. Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel should not be used longer than 1 week without medical advice. If symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 – 5 days, a doctor should be consulted. If you use more Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel than you should An overdose is unlikely to happen if you use more Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel than you should, because the absorption into the blood stream is low when used on the skin. If the recommended dose is significantly exceeded when used on the skin, wipe off the surplus gel with a tissue. If you accidentally swallow this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. If you forget to use Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel If you miss your application of this medicine at the correct time, apply it when you remember and then carry on as normal. Do not apply a double dose to make up for the forgotten application. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some rare and very rare side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following signs of allergy, stop using Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel and tell a doctor or pharmacist immediately:

  • Skin rash with blisters; hives (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people).
  • Wheezing, shortness of breath or feeling of tightness in the chest (asthma) (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people).
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people).

Other side effects which may occur are usually mild, passing and harmless (if you are concerned, tell a doctor or pharmacist): Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Skin rash, itching, reddening, eczema, dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) including contact dermatitis. Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Scaling, dehydration of the skin, swelling (oedema). Very rare side effects (may affect up 1 in 10,000 people): Pustular rash, gastrointestinal complaints, allergic reactions (including hives), sensitivity to light with appearance of skin reactions after exposure to sunlight. Not known side effects (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): Burning sensation at the application site, dry skin, peeling of the skin and skin discolouration. When this medicine is applied to a large area of skin and over a prolonged period, the possibility of systemic side-effects (e.g. kidney, liver or gastrointestinal side effects, systemic allergic reactions) – as they occur possibly after systemic administration of diclofenac-containing medicines cannot be completely excluded.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and tube. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Store in the original tube in order to protect from light. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. Please, do not apply the gel shortly before taking a shower or bath. These measures will help protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel contains

  • The active substance is diclofenac.
  • 1 g contains 11.6 mg diclofenac diethylamine corresponding to 10 mg diclofenac sodium
  • The other ingredients are carbomer, cocoyl caprylocaprate, macrogol cetostearyl ether, liquid paraffin, diethylamine, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol (E1520), fragrance (containing citronellol, geraniol, benzyl alcohol (E1519), linalool, limonene, citral, farnesol, coumarin, eugenol), purified water What Diclofenac Diethylamine Gel looks like and contents of the pack White to almost white, homogeneous gel, packed in aluminium laminated tubes, closed with PE seal and PP screw caps, available in pack sizes: 30g, 50g, 60g, 100g, 120g per tube. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Teva UK Limited, Ridings Point, Whistler Drive, Castleford, WF10 5HX, United Kingdom Manufacturer Merckle GmbH, Graf-Arco-Str. 3, 89079 Ulm, Germany Distributed by The Boots Company PLC, Nottingham, NG2 3AA This leaflet was last revised in March 2026. PL 00289/2473 304385_s1

Frequently asked questions about Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel

How do I take Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel?

Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel comes as gel. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel?

The active substance in Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel is diclofenac diethylamine.

Are there equivalent medicines to Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 2.32% w/w Gel, Care Pain Relief 2.32% w/w Gel, Motusol 1.16% w/w Gel. In total there are 6 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Diclofenac diethylamine (7 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Boots Diclofenac Diethylamine 1.16% w/w Gel. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

Pharmacies in major towns and cities — see the list
Pharmacies by county and region — see the full list

Browse all 2,009 towns and cities →