Differences Between Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster and Voltarol Heat Patch

Voltarol plasters and patches are great for effective pain relief that will help you to do the little things that bring you joy – like delighting your family with special treats carried out (by you!) to the garden on a summer evening. Or bending down to give a niece a kiss goodnight at the end of a holiday visit with family.

Here we unpack Voltarol plaster and patch, what they can do for you, and how.

Voltarol Drug-Free Heat Patch being applied to persons shoulder

Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster & Voltarol Heat Patch

Voltarol patches come in two varieties – drug-free heat patches and medicated plasters. Both provide pain relief. However, they work differently. We’re here to explain the difference between the two of them and help you decide which type is suitable for you.

Voltarol medicated plasters contain a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called diclofenac. Diclofenac reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and so helps speed recovery.

Voltarol heat patches, on the other hand, are drug-free. They provide up to 8 hours of continuous pain-relieving heat.

Voltarol Heat Patch for drug-free pain relief

Voltarol Heat Patch

Provides up to 24 hours of extended pain relief* (*up to 24 hours of pain relief in lower back pain from second day of treatment).

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Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster for targeted anti-inflammatory pain relief

Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster

Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster provides up to 2x more powerful pain relief*. The plaster continuously releases the anti-inflammatory ingredient diclofenac for up to 12 hours, effectively relieving pain. *vs. non-medicated placebo patch.

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someone applying a Voltarol 140mg Medicated Heat Patch to their leg

How do Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster & Voltarol Heat Patch work?

Voltarol medicated plasters and drug-free heat patches, while both worn on the skin, utilise different science in order to deliver pain relief. That’s because they are two different type of therapies. Here is a little on how each of them work.

Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster

Voltarol medicated plasters provide continuous release of the pain-relieving, inflammation-reducing NSAID, diclofenac. It penetrates deep into the tissue and targets the source of pain (inflammation) beneath the site of application, instead of only masking the pain. Easy to apply, one patch lasts for up to 12 hours.

Voltarol Heat Patch

Voltarol heat patches contain iron, which when combined with other substances, heats up when it comes into contact with the air. There is no need to shake them or fold them. As soon as their individual sleeve is open, they start working. Each patch provides up to 8 continuous hours of therapeutic heat, relaxing muscle tension. It tackles the source of neck and back pain, and not just the symptoms.

While they deliver different types of pain relief therapy, Voltarol medicated plasters and heat patches are both worn on the skin, at the point of pain. They are both made out of thin, non-woven material that can be worn comfortably and discreetly under your clothes for on-the-go relief. No one will know you have one on (save for the smile across your face from getting back to more joyful movement!).

Voltarol 140mg Medicated Plaster Voltarol Heat Patch
  • Contains anti-inflammatory diclofenac, that relives pain, reduces inflammation and helps speed recovery
  • Doesn’t contain any medication, instead provides heat to help relax muscles
  • Should not be taken with other anti-inflammatory painkillers, like ibuprofen
  • Can be taken with other medications
  • Applied at the point of pain, over your skin
  • Applied at the point of pain, over your skin
  • Thin and can be worn discreetly under clothes
  • Thin and can be worn discreetly under clothes

How to use Voltarol medicated plasters & heat patches

Using Voltarol patches and plasters is easy. Using Voltarol heat patches and Voltarol medicated plasters is quite similar. Here’s how:  

  1. Make sure your skin is clean, dry, and non-greasy.
  2. Tear open the sleeve just before you’re ready to use the patch or plaster.
  3. Remove the plastic backing.
  4. Place the patch – adhesive side down – above the painful area.
  5. Press firmly but gently to make sure the patch or plaster is on smoothly and in the correct position.
 diclofenac molecules working on pain affected upper right back

When using Voltarol medicated plasters, apply one in the morning and one in the evening. You should not exceed more than two plasters a day.

Before you start using Voltarol patches or plasters read the information the packaging to ensure you are using the product as directed.

What to use medicated plasters and heat patches for

Put on a Voltarol heat patch and feel the continuous low-level heat on low back pain for 8 hours, helping you to get on the road to recovery. They are for pain in the back and neck and muscle stiffness.

Voltarol medicated plasters are used for local and short-term treatment of pain from acute strains, sprains or bruises of the extremities following blunt trauma – such as a sports injuries. Maybe you took a bad fall and twisted funny, leading to inflammation and soreness. The Voltarol medicated plaster can help you get back to more joyful movement.

Explore Voltarol products for pain relief

Let’s get you moving freely again. Try our range of medicated Voltarol gels, medicated plasters or heat patches for effective relief that targets body pain at its source. Find out which is most suitable for you.