Managing Your Minor Injury

Tips for preventing minor strains, sprains, or bruises

The most effective treatment for minor strains, sprains, and bruises is prevention. Use these tips to help avoid minor strains, sprains, and bruises.

Strains occur when a tendon or muscle is stretched too far. Tendons connect muscles to bones.

Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched too far. Ligaments connect bones and provide support to joints, such as knees, elbows, and wrists. Sprains often occur in the ankles and wrists.

Bruises are the results of blunt impact against the skin, usually with the familiar blue or purple discoloration.

Preventing strains, sprains, and bruises

  • Ensure walkways, hallways, and paths are free of clutter
  • Apply salt or sand to icy walkways during winter
  • Never exercise or work without adequate lighting
  • Be aware of your surroundings

Treatment Options:

NSAIDs are a class of medications widely used for treating pain and inflammation resulting from injuries. NSAIDs are available in both prescription and over-the-counter strengths and in both oral and topical forms. FLECTOR Patch is the first and only prescription topical NSAID patch. Remember, don’t take oral NSAIDs while on FLECTOR Patch.

There are also treatment options other than medications. For example, R.I.C.E. incorporates "Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation."

There is no substitute for direct advice from your healthcare professional to determine which treatment is right for you. So before starting any new treatment, it’s very important to discuss it with your doctor.

*Terms and conditions apply. Coupon will be accepted only in participating pharmacies. This coupon is not health insurance. No membership fees apply. Estimated average co-pay savings is $30 per patient per year. For any questions related to the FLECTOR Patch coupon, please call the coupon Customer Service line at 1-800-669-2685.

If your healthcare professional thinks
FLECTOR Patch is right for you, download and print a coupon for up to $30 off your prescription!
FLECTOR Patch is the first and only prescription patch in the United States containing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac, for the topical treatment of acute pain due to minor strains, sprains, and bruises. Use FLECTOR Patch exactly as your healthcare professional tells you. Do not use more. Do not use for a longer time.

Which of the following activities do you take
part in?

(Check all that apply)









Have you experienced a strain, sprain, or bruise as a result of these activities?

(Check all that apply)



Did you contact a healthcare professional about your injury?



Indication

FLECTOR Patch contains diclofenac epolamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is indicated for the topical treatment of acute pain due to minor strains, sprains, and contusions.

Important Safety Information

  • FLECTOR Patch, like other NSAIDs, may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases with longer use of NSAID medicines, and in people who have heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure
  • NSAID medicines, including FLECTOR Patch, should never be used right before or after a heart surgery called “coronary artery bypass graft” (CABG)
  • FLECTOR Patch, like other NSAID medicines, can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. These can happen without symptoms and may cause death. The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with: taking blood-thinning medicines or medicines called steroids; longer use; smoking; drinking alcohol; older age; having poor health

Do not use FLECTOR Patch if you’ve had aspirin-sensitive asthma or allergic reactions from taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.

FLECTOR Patch should not be applied to broken or damaged skin due to any cause, such as cuts, burns, infected wound, or rash with oozing fluid.

Before using FLECTOR Patch, tell your healthcare professional about the following:

  • Any and all other health or medical problems you may have, such as heart disease including high blood pressure or heart failure, history of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines, kidney or liver problems, asthma or allergic-type reactions, and skin reactions
  • All other medications (prescription and nonprescription) you are taking. Do not take oral NSAIDs while on FLECTOR Patch. Do not take other medicines without your healthcare professional’s approval
  • If you are breastfeeding

FLECTOR Patch should not be used late in pregnancy.

Serious side effects include life-threatening skin and allergic reactions. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, weakness in one part or side of your body, slurred speech, or swelling of the face or throat.

Stop using FLECTOR Patch and call your healthcare professional right away if you have any of the following symptoms: nausea, more tired or weaker than usual, itching, your skin or eyes look yellow, stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, vomiting blood, bowel movement contains blood or is black and sticky like tar, unusual weight gain, skin rash or blisters with fever, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

FLECTOR Patch should be used exactly as prescribed at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time needed.

The most common side effects seen with FLECTOR Patch were skin reactions (including itching, inflamed skin, burning) at the site of treatment, stomach discomfort or intestinal problems (including nausea, altered taste, upset stomach), and nervous disorders (including headache, tingling of the skin, sleepiness).

Avoid contact of FLECTOR Patch with eyes, nose, or mouth, and wash hands after applying, handling, or removing FLECTOR Patch. FLECTOR Patch still contains medicine even after use. Keep FLECTOR Patch out of the reach of children and pets. If a child or pet puts FLECTOR Patch in their mouth, seek medical help immediately. Children should not use FLECTOR Patch.

Other information about NSAIDs: aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines and ulcers in the stomach and intestines.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning, and Patient Medication Guide.