Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesProductsMechanism of ActionHow to UseDoes It Work?Side EffectsContraindications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Products
Mechanism of Action
How to Use
Does It Work?
Side Effects
Contraindications
Salonpasis the brand name of a topical patch used for temporary relief of arthritis pain and other forms of pain. Sold over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription, Salonpas pain patches deliver active ingredients like menthol, camphor, and methyl salicylate through the skin (transdermally).
Although generally safe, Salonpas can cause side effects in some people, including stinging and a local allergic reaction known ascontact dermatitis.
B. BOISSONNET / BSIP / Corbis / Getty Images
What Is Salonpas Used For?
Others use Salonpas for the off-label treatment ofneuropathic (nerve-related) painassociated with:
Types of Salonpas Patches
There are several patches offered under the Salonpas brand name made with different ingredients or used for different purposes:
How Does Salonpas Work?
Salonpas pain patches are transdermal, meaning that the medication is absorbed through the skin. The patches are made of a flexible adhesive material infused with ingredients that have anti-inflammatory,analgesic(pain-relieving),anesthetic(numbing), hyperthermic (heat-inducing), or hypothermic (cooling) effects.
These include:
Salonpas pain patches are approved for use in adults and children 12 years of age and older. They should not be used on younger children.
To apply a Salonpas patch:
Do not use two pain patches at one time as this can increase the risk of side effects. Salonpas should also not be used with other pain-relieving gels or creams.
Topical agents like methol, camphor, methyl salicylate, lidocaine, and capsaicin act on pain receptors under the skin, callednociceptors, blocking nerve signals to and from the brain. The mechanism of action distinguished topical pain relievers like Salonpas.
A 2020 investigation, called the RELIEF Study, explored the effects of the Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch (methyl salicylate 10%, menthol 6%, and camphor 3.1%) among 199 adults with arthritis, neuropathic, ormusculoskeletal pain.
When comparing participants given Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch for 14 days to those given aplacebo(sham) patch, the investigators reported that:
Possible Side Effects
A local allergy, known asallergic contact dermatitis, is possible with Salonpas. This is especially true with Salonpas Pain Relieving Gel Patch Hot, the only product withlatexin the adhesive backing.People with alatex allergymay develop symptoms like rash, itching, burning, and blistering soon after application.
A severe reaction is rare.
Who Should Not Use Salonpas?
Salonpas should not be applied to broken, irritated, or damaged skin as doing so can lead to intense burning, itching, redness, or stinging.
Salonpas Pain Patch, Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch, and Salonpas Arthritis Pain Patch (each of which contain methyl salicylate) should also be avoided in people with a known allergy to salicylates, includingaspirin.
Though unlikely, methyl salicylate used may also increase the risk of bleeding or stomach ulcers in people who regularly take aspirin and othernonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)like Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Celebrex (celecoxib). If you take NSAIDs on a regular basis, speak with your healthcare provider before using Salonpas.
Summary
Salonpas pain patches are transdermal patches used for the treatment of mild to moderate arthritis or musculoskeletal pain. They may also be used off-label to treat nerve pain. Active ingredients include menthol, camphor, methyl salicylate, lidocaine, or capsaicin. Although generally safe, Salonpas pain patches can cause burning, itching, or redness in some people.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Salonpas.Marcum ZA, Duncan NA, Makris UE.Pharmacotherapies in geriatric chronic pain management.Clin Geriatr Med. 2016 Nov;32(4):705–724. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.007Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: products.Pergolizzi JV, Taylor R, Lequang JA, Raffa RB.The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018;43(3):313-319. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12679Gudin JA, Dietze DT, Hurwitz PL, et al.Improvement of pain and function after use of a topical pain relieving patch: results of the RELIEF Study.J Pain Res. 2020 Jun 26:13:1557-1568. doi:10.2147/JPR.S258883Higashi Y, Kiuchi T, Furuta K.Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.Clin Ther. 2010;32(1):34-43. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016Santana JA, Klass S, Felix ER.The efficacy, effectiveness and safety of 5% transdermal lidocaine patch for chronic low back pain: a narrative review.PM R. 2020;2(12):1260-1267. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12366Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: frequently asked questions.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Latex allergy: causes, symptoms & treatment.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Salonpas.Marcum ZA, Duncan NA, Makris UE.Pharmacotherapies in geriatric chronic pain management.Clin Geriatr Med. 2016 Nov;32(4):705–724. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.007Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: products.Pergolizzi JV, Taylor R, Lequang JA, Raffa RB.The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018;43(3):313-319. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12679Gudin JA, Dietze DT, Hurwitz PL, et al.Improvement of pain and function after use of a topical pain relieving patch: results of the RELIEF Study.J Pain Res. 2020 Jun 26:13:1557-1568. doi:10.2147/JPR.S258883Higashi Y, Kiuchi T, Furuta K.Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.Clin Ther. 2010;32(1):34-43. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016Santana JA, Klass S, Felix ER.The efficacy, effectiveness and safety of 5% transdermal lidocaine patch for chronic low back pain: a narrative review.PM R. 2020;2(12):1260-1267. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12366Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: frequently asked questions.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Latex allergy: causes, symptoms & treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Salonpas.Marcum ZA, Duncan NA, Makris UE.Pharmacotherapies in geriatric chronic pain management.Clin Geriatr Med. 2016 Nov;32(4):705–724. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.007Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: products.Pergolizzi JV, Taylor R, Lequang JA, Raffa RB.The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018;43(3):313-319. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12679Gudin JA, Dietze DT, Hurwitz PL, et al.Improvement of pain and function after use of a topical pain relieving patch: results of the RELIEF Study.J Pain Res. 2020 Jun 26:13:1557-1568. doi:10.2147/JPR.S258883Higashi Y, Kiuchi T, Furuta K.Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.Clin Ther. 2010;32(1):34-43. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016Santana JA, Klass S, Felix ER.The efficacy, effectiveness and safety of 5% transdermal lidocaine patch for chronic low back pain: a narrative review.PM R. 2020;2(12):1260-1267. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12366Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: frequently asked questions.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Latex allergy: causes, symptoms & treatment.
Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Salonpas.
Marcum ZA, Duncan NA, Makris UE.Pharmacotherapies in geriatric chronic pain management.Clin Geriatr Med. 2016 Nov;32(4):705–724. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.007
Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: products.
Pergolizzi JV, Taylor R, Lequang JA, Raffa RB.The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018;43(3):313-319. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12679
Gudin JA, Dietze DT, Hurwitz PL, et al.Improvement of pain and function after use of a topical pain relieving patch: results of the RELIEF Study.J Pain Res. 2020 Jun 26:13:1557-1568. doi:10.2147/JPR.S258883
Higashi Y, Kiuchi T, Furuta K.Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.Clin Ther. 2010;32(1):34-43. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016
Santana JA, Klass S, Felix ER.The efficacy, effectiveness and safety of 5% transdermal lidocaine patch for chronic low back pain: a narrative review.PM R. 2020;2(12):1260-1267. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12366
Hisamitsu (US).Salonpas: frequently asked questions.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Latex allergy: causes, symptoms & treatment.
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