Voltaren vs Elavil: side-by-side comparison
Voltaren (Traitements de la douleur) and Elavil (Antidépresseurs) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Voltaren | Elavil |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Diclofenac | Amitriptyline |
| Manufacturer | Novartis | Various generics |
| Class | Traitements de la douleur | Antidépresseurs |
| Strengths | 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg | 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg |
| Forms | tablet, delayed-release tablet, topical gel, suppository | tablet |
What's the same
Voltaren and Elavil are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Voltaren belongs to Traitements de la douleur while Elavil belongs to Antidépresseurs. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Voltaren: Le diclofénac inhibe de façon réversible les cyclo-oxygénases COX-1 et COX-2, avec une sélectivité pour la COX-2 un peu plus marquée que celle de l'ibuprofène et du naproxène. Elavil: L'amitriptyline inhibe la recapture de la sérotonine et de la noradrénaline au niveau des synapses centrales.
When Voltaren is preferred
Voltaren est autorisé chez l'adulte dans le traitement de l'arthrose, de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde, de la spondylarthrite ankylosante, des douleurs musculosquelettiques aiguës, des douleurs postopératoires, de la dysménorrhée primaire, de la crise de migraine et de la colique né…
When Elavil is preferred
L'amitriptyline est autorisée dans la dépression caractérisée, mais son usage contemporain est dominé par les indications hors AMM à faible dose : douleurs neuropathiques, fibromyalgie, céphalées de tension chroniques, prévention de la migraine, syndrome de l'intestin irritable…
Questions fréquentes
Is Voltaren or Elavil better? ▾
Voltaren and Elavil are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Voltaren to Elavil? ▾
Switching between Voltaren and Elavil is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Voltaren and Elavil have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Voltaren comparisons
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.