Voltaren is teaming up with music superstar Paula Abdul.

WARREN, N.J. — GlaxoSmithKline announced that Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel (diclofenac sodium topical gel, 1% (NSAID) arthritis pain reliever) recently became available over-the-counter (O-T-C) online and in stores nationwide, providing the over 30 million osteoarthritis patients across the country broader access to a leading pain relief option.

To launch the O-T-C offering, Voltaren is teaming up with music superstar Paula Abdul, who uses Voltaren for her arthritis pain. Staying active is important for arthritis patients everywhere, and together, Voltaren and Paula Abdul will inspire people to “rediscover the joy of movement”.

“I’m excited to partner with Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel to share my personal journey with arthritis and success using Voltaren,” Paula said. “I’ve put my joints through a lot over the years. Dancing, jumping, flipping – it’s my heart and soul, but I’ve been pushing my joints to the limit for decades as a result. When I was diagnosed with arthritis, my doctor prescribed Voltaren which made a huge difference in relieving my pain and helping me move with ease. I am so excited it’s now available O-T-C at stores nationwide.”

Joint pain due to arthritis symptoms is a daily reality for millions of people in the United States, and with many people across the country staying at home more often, finding arthritis pain relief is more important than ever. In a recent study of 1,000 U.S. adults aged 35+ suffering from joint pain conducted by Voltaren in partnership with Wakefield Research, 82% of respondents said their physical activity has decreased as a result of more time at home, and 92% of respondents report that their joint pain is the same or more severe during this time.

Voltaren and Paula Abdul will inspire people to “rediscover the joy of movement”.

“Stay-at-home orders led to a unique set of challenges for those with arthritis,” said Jissan Cherian, director, U.S. OTC marketing at GSK Consumer Healthcare. “Now, more than ever, we need to offer solutions that help ease the challenge of joint pain and inspire arthritis patients to rediscover the joy of movement, even as we adapt to changing routines and a new way of life.”

Additional results from the survey revealed:

• 78% of joint pain sufferers are finding ways to incorporate new ways of moving into their routine since the start of stay-at-home orders, including walking, stretching and stair climbing
• With many changing their daily routines to adjust to the new normal, 31 percent expressed they are unhappy about straying from their usual pain management routine
• 54% have felt more knee pain due to walking around on surfaces that offer less support
• 65% are looking for strategies to incorporate more exercise in their households, like using soup cans as dumbbells, or furniture as makeshift gym equipment
• More screen time on smartphones means increased finger pain –nearly three in five joint pain sufferers age 35-55 report an increase due to typing/holding devices while at home
• 51% are feeling joint pain due to new quarantine activities, including bread kneading, knitting, gardening, DIY projects, stretching and walking

Voltaren Gel, a doctor-prescribed arthritis treatment in the U.S. for over 10 years with a proven safety profile, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an OTC treatment in February, making it the first and only prescription strength, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) topical gel for arthritis pain available OTC in the United States. As an alternative to pills, Voltaren treats joint pain by delivering medicine at the source, and is absorbed through the skin and not through the stomach like most oral medicines. Voltaren is applied directly to the site of pain, delivering powerful arthritis pain relief. It is indicated for the treatment of arthritis pain in the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle or knee. To date, millions of patients around the world have relied on Voltaren as a powerful, well-tolerated and convenient therapeutic alternative for treating arthritis pain.

“As the world leader in pain relief, we have seen how Voltaren has helped people with osteoarthritis treat their pain and improve their quality of life” Cherian said. “The O-T-C availability of Voltaren Arthritis Pain helps to provide greater access to an effective topical treatment option for joint pain patients, so more people with osteoarthritis pain can find relief.”

Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel is now available online and at most major retailers nationwide.