What Are Topical Analgesics and How Do They Work?
A topical analgesic is a medicine that’s applied to the skin to relieve pain in your muscles and joints alike. Unlike other pain relievers like acetaminophen, they should not be taken by mouth (orally).
Some topical analgesics relieve pain by working to reduce inflammation, while others change how you process pain.1 Common ingredients in topical analgesics include:2, 3
Capsaicin
Menthol
Camphor
Diclofenac
Methyl salicylate
You can find these ingredients in different dosage forms such as creams, ointments, gels, or patches.1
Potential Benefits of Topical Analgesics for Pain Relief
There are several advantages to applying your pain relief medication directly to the affected area.
1. Targeted Pain Relief
Get fast pain relief where you need it by applying it directly where it hurts. When a topical analgesic is applied to the affected area, it provides targeted pain relief.
2. Easy-To-Use
Simply apply the cream for pain relief where it’s needed and wait. With a topical pain reliever, you don’t need any water to swallow pills. Topical pain relievers are convenient to have on hand whenever pain hits.
3. Use in Patients with Swallowing Difficulties
For patients who have difficulty swallowing (e.g., children, elderly, or those with certain medical conditions), topical analgesics offer an alternative route of administration.
4. Relief Across Multiple Pain Types
Topical analgesics can treat several types of pain.1 Topical analgesics can help relieve:2, 3
Back pain
Muscle pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Joint pain
Knee pain
Wrist pain
Elbow pain
Arthritis pain
Strains and Sprains
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NEW! PRECISE pain relief creams are formulated with lidocaine to provide fast, effective pain relief where you need it. PRECISE offers unique benefits, such as:
Rollerball Applicator
The rollerball applicator helps you easily target your pain without the mess. It can even help you get those hard-to-reach spots.
Fast Pain Relief
When you apply topical lidocaine to the affected area, it can give you fast relief from muscle pain.
Lidocaine Active Ingredient
Lidocaine is an active ingredient that helps numb your joint and muscle pain away by blocking your nerve cells from sending pain signals.7
Advanced Hydration Technology
The advanced hydration technology in PRECISE pain relief creams moisturizes to help you avoid skin dryness.
Fragrance-Free
The fragrance-free formula avoids using ingredients that have a smell.8 It also makes sure the people around you don’t know that you’ve applied it.
Cooling Relief
PRECISE cooling pain relief cream is a dual active formula that combines lidocaine, that targets pain receptor nerves to block pain signals, and Menthol, which produces a cooling sensation when topically applied to the skin. These ingredients work together to numb away minor joint and muscle pain with an instant cooling effect.
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References
Jorge LL, Feres CC, Teles VE. Topical preparations for pain relief: efficacy and patient adherence. Journal of Pain Research. 2010; 4, 11–24.,
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=counter&lang=eng
Pain Relievers. Cleveland Clinic. Updated April 13, 2021. Accessed May 30, 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/12058-pain-relievers
Voute M, Morel V, Pickering G. (2021). Topical Lidocaine for Chronic Pain Treatment. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2021; 15, 4091–4103.,
Bushra R, Aslam N. An overview of clinical pharmacology of Ibuprofen. Oman Medical Journal. 2010. 25(3), 155–1661.,
Lidocaine (Topical Application Route). Mayo Clinic. Updated May 1, 2023. Accessed May 30, 2023.,
Safer Choice Fragrance-Free. Environmental Protection Agency. Published October 2016, Accessed May 31, 2023, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-10/documents/saferchoice-factsheet-fragrancefree_0.pdf
Pergolizzi JV, Taylor R, LeQuang A, et al. The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2018; 43(3),
*2023 IQVIA study in Adult Analgesics.