How does analgesic cream work

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Pain management specialist Robert Bolash, MD , talks about finding pain relief and what you need to know about these products. A: Over-the-counter topical pain relievers often include methyl salicylate also known as oil of wintergreen. This ingredient gives topical pain relievers that minty smell and creates a cooling sensation when applied to the skin. Methyl salicylate is often used as counterirritant, which basically acts as a distraction to pain points.

Depending on the product and the other ingredients in it, these rub on treatments may also contain a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID. Some topical pain relievers also contain capsaicin, which is a compound found in chili peppers and is responsible for producing a warming sensation. Other products may contain menthol, also known as mint camphor, which causes a cooling sensation and can trick the mind into thinking that the skin or body temperature is dropping.

This study found only limited-, low-, or very low—quality evidence of efficacy for other therapies. The researchers concluded that selection of the formulation used influences effectiveness in acute conditions, with gel seemingly more effective. Overall, they found that a small proportion of people experienced good pain relief. When used correctly for a short duration, topical analgesics are considered effective and safe.

However, pharmacy staff need to be aware that they can cause adverse reactions. Jeanette Y. Topical Analgesics Provide Pain Relief. September 22, Adverse event rates with topical NSAIDs were about equivalent to those reported with a topical placebo. In chronic musculoskeletal pain mainly hand and knee osteoarthritis , topical diclofenac and ketoprofen preparations provided significantly more relief than the placebo.

Patients were least likely to withdraw from trials for lack of efficacy when diclofenac or salicylates were used. American College of Rheumatology recommendations for the use of nonphar- macologic and pharmacologic therapies in osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.

Show references Rodriguez-Merchan EC. Topical therapies for knee osteoarthritis. Postgraduate Medicine. Meng Z, et al. Topical treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences.

Arthritis Foundation. Accessed June 11, Deveza LA, et al. Management of knee osteoarthritis. Accessed June 12, Back pain treatments. Majeed MH, et al. Pharmacological treatment of pain in osteoarthritis: A descriptive review.

Current Rheumatology Reports. Methyl salicylate. Accessed June 14, Derry S, et al. Such treatments may decrease pain not by reaching the target tissue through systemic distribution, but by acting more directly on the affected tissue.

Despite the tolerability benefits associated with avoiding systemic circulation, topically applied analgesics are associated with application-site reactions in patients, such as dryness, erythema, burning, and discoloration.

Furthermore, some adverse events that have been observed in patients may be suggestive of some degree of systemic exposure. This article reviews the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of topical treatments for the management of patient pain.