camphor / menthol / methyl salicylate
Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate topical products come in many different formulations, such as patches, creams, gels, and oils. The three active ingredients in the products are analgesics that temporarily relieve minor muscle aches and pain. This medication is applied onto the skin many times throughout the day, usually no more than 3 or 4 times per day. These topical products are available over the counter (OTC) as brand-name or generic medications. They don't typically cause many side effects but can sometimes irritate the skin.
What is Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate?
What is Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate used for?
Short-term relief of minor aches and pains in the muscles and joints caused by:
Simple backache
Strains
Sprains
Bruises
How Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate works
Camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate are analgesics. More specifically, they work as counter-irritants. When they're applied to the skin, the active ingredients turn on pain sensors on the skin, which makes the area feel warm or cold. This makes the pain sensors less sensitive to pain signals, which helps to relieve pain.
Drug Facts
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the side effects of Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate?
Common Side Effects
Other Side Effects
- Skin irritation
- Itching
- Rash
Serious Side Effects
- Serious skin burn: pain, swelling, blistering of the skin
- Too much salicylate in the body (salicylate toxicity): nausea, vomiting, fast breathing, shortness of breath, ringing in the ears, headache, dizziness, confusion
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
Pros and cons of Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate
Pros
Available OTC and in different topical forms (e.g., patch, gel, cream)
Can apply directly to the painful area
Few side effects
Cons
Might cause skin irritation
Might not be a safe option for people who are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates
Pharmacist tips for Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate
Wash your hands before and after you use camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate products. This helps prevent getting the medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth or any sensitive areas of your body. Otherwise, it can be very irritating.
Only use camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate on the outside of your body on the surface of the skin. Don't apply it on wounded, broken, damaged, or irritated skin. Don't place the medication on your face or in the mouth.
Don't cover the area where you applied camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate with a tight bandage or a heating pad. More medication can get absorbed through the skin, which can put you at higher risk for side effects like serious burns.
Stop using camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate and talk to a health care professional if your pain gets worse, if your symptoms last for more than 7 days, or if they come back within a few days of using the medication. This could mean that there's something else going on that a healthcare professional should look into.
Stop using camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate and speak with a healthcare professional if you get a rash, itchiness, or serious skin irritation. This might mean that you're sensitive to one of the ingredients in the topical product. Your care team can give recommendations on how to relieve these side effects.
Store camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate topical products in a clean, dry area at room temperature away from heat, direct sunlight, and open flames. Some products can easily catch on fire.
Store camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate products up and away and out of reach from children and pets. This prevents them from accidentally swallowing medication that's left out. If you think that your child might’ve accidentally swallowed camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate, call a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away even if you aren't completely sure.
Tips for camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate patches:
Avoid storing camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate patches in bathroom cabinets. Too much moisture can make the adhesive on the patches less sticky. So the patch might not stick as well onto the skin.
Before you apply a camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate patch, clean and dry the area of the skin completely. The patch won't stick well to damp skin. Remove the backing from the patch and apply the sticky side of the patch directly to the affected area.
Read the product directions on how long you can leave a camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate patch on the skin. The amount of time you can wear a patch on the skin can be different for different manufacturers and brand names.
Throw away each camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate patch after you use it once. The best way to throw away a patch is to fold it in half, sticky sides together, before you place it in the trash. Used patches still contain some medication on them, so this will keep someone from accidentally touching the medication side of the patch and getting it on their skin.
Frequently asked questions about Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate?
Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Salicylate poisoning
Risk factors: Wearing more than one patch on the body at a time | Applying onto damaged skin | Covering the medicated area with a tight bandage | Applying heat to the treated area
Although rare, methyl salicylate (one of the active ingredients components of the camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate products) can cause salicylate toxicity. This happens when your body absorbs too much of the medication. The risk for salicylate toxicity appears mostly with overusing the product or accidentally ingesting it. Salicylate toxicity is a serious side effect that should be treated right away.
Keep camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate topical products out of reach from children and pets. Get medical help right away if you experience nausea, vomiting, fast breathing, shortness of breath, ringing in the ears, headache, dizziness, confusion. These can be signs of salicylate toxicity.
Risk of serious skin burns
Risk factors: Applying the medication onto damaged, broken, or irritated skin | Covering the treated area | Applying heat to the treated area
Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate topical products can rarely cause serious skin burns. These skin burns are possible even when you use the topical product for the first time. Severe burning or blistering can happen within 24 hours of the first use. Sometimes, it can be so severe that you might need to be hospitalized.
Don't apply camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate onto any broken or irritated skin. Never place tight bandages around the treated area. And don't place any heating pads on top of the area where you applied camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate. This can raise the risk for serious burns.
Stop using the camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate topical product and get medical help right away if you experience pain, blistering, or swelling where you applied the medication.
Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate dosage forms
Typical dosing for Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate
There are many different camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate topical products that come in different forms and under many different brand names. They can contain different amounts of each active ingredient.
Follow the specific product instructions on the package or ask a healthcare professional for directions. Examples of camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate products are listed below.
Each topical patch contains 3.1% of camphor, 6% of menthol, and 10% of methyl salicylate.
People age 12 years and older: Apply 1 patch to the affected area for up to 8 hours. You can apply a new patch onto the skin no more than 3 to 4 times in a day.
Children under 12 years old: Ask a healthcare professional.
Neuracin Gel contains 4% of camphor, 10% of menthol, and 30% of methyl salicylate.
People age 12 years and older: Apply a small amount of gel to the affected area(s) up to 3 to 4 times a day.
Children under 12 years old: Ask a healthcare professional.
Eagle Brand Medicated Oil contains 7% of camphor, 16% of menthol, and 35% of methyl salicylate.
People age 2 years and older: Apply a small amount of oil to the affected area(s) up to 3 to 4 times a day.
Children under 2 years old: Ask a healthcare professional.
How much does Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate cost?
What are alternatives to Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate?
Short-term relief of minor aches and pains in the muscles and joints caused by:
Simple backache
Strains
Sprains
Bruises
Minor burns
Sunburn
Minor cuts
Scrapes
Insect bites
Skin irritations and rashes from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac
Minor muscle or joint pains (e.g., arthritis, backaches, bruises, strains, sprains)
Arthritis
Backache
Strains
Sprains
Bruises
Cramps
Bursitis (inflamed bursa)
Tendonitis (inflamed tendon)
Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate images
Get savings updates for Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Camphor/menthol /methyl salicylate and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
References
Best studies we foundAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Back pain during pregnancy.
Barkin, R. L. (2013). The pharmacology of topical analgesics. Postgraduate Medicine.
Borden Company (Private) Limited. Eagle Brand Medicated Oil Aromatic- camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate oil [package insert]. DailyMed.
CVS Pharmacy Inc. (2024). CVS Health Pain-Relieving Patch- menthol, methyl salicylate, camphor patch [package insert]. DailyMed.
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. (2024). Salonpas- camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate patch [package insert]. DailyMed.
Patel, V. M., et al. (2016). Safety of topical dermatologic medications in pregnancy. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
Sola Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Neuracin topical gel- neuracin topical analgesic gel gel [package insert]. DailyMed.
Topp, R., et al. (2013). Topical menthol, ice, peripheral blood flow, and perceived discomfort. Journal of Athletic Training.
United Exchange Corp. (2024). Coralite pain relief- camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate patch [package insert]. DailyMed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016). FDA drug safety communication: Rare cases of serious burns with the use of over-the-counter topical muscle and joint pain relievers.
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.