menthol / capsaicin
Capsaicin/menthol is a combination medication that can be applied to the skin to help relieve minor aches and pains in the muscles or joints. It's available over the counter (OTC) as a patch, gel, or cream. This medication contains a chemical that comes from chili peppers, so it can cause a burning sensation when applied.
What is Capsaicin/menthol?
What is Capsaicin/menthol used for?
Relief of minor aches and pains in the muscles and joints caused by:
- Arthritis
- Backache
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Strains
How Capsaicin/menthol works
This medication is a topical analgesic that contains two ingredients: capsaicin and menthol.
Capsaicin comes from a chemical that's found in chili peppers. Menthol is a natural chemical that comes from the peppermint plant. Both of these ingredients relieve pain when applied to the skin by acting as counterirritants. This means that it activates sensors in the skin, which then causes them to be less sensitive to other pain signals.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Salonpas Pain Relieving Gel-Patch Hot, Capzasin Quick Relief Gel, InstaSoothe Pain Relief Cream |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Topical analgesic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
Side effects of Capsaicin/menthol
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Burning sensation
Less Common Side Effects
- Itchy skin
- Redness or flaking of skin
- Skin irritation
Capsaicin/menthol serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious skin burns: pain, swelling, blistering of the skin
Pros and cons of Capsaicin/menthol
Pros
- Available OTC as a patch, gel, or cream
- Can be applied directly to the painful area
- Patch can be worn for up to 8 hours
- Generally well tolerated with few side effects
Cons
- Can't apply to irritated or damaged skin
- Can cause irritation if it makes contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose
- Shouldn't be used with other topical skin products
- Patch won't stick well to damp or wet skin
Pharmacist tips for Capsaicin/menthol
- Before using a capsaicin/menthol patch, clean and dry the affected area completely. Peel off part of the backing to expose the sticky side of the patch. Apply the patch and remove the rest of the backing while pressing the patch to your skin.
- Throw the capsaicin/menthol patch away after you've used it for one time. The best way to throw a medicated patch away is to fold it in half with the sticky sides together, and then place it in the trash. This will keep someone from accidentally touching the medicated side of the patch and getting it on their skin.
- Apply capsaicin/menthol gel or cream and rub the medication into your skin completely. If the product has an applicator included, use it to apply the medication. If you get capsaicin/menthol on your hands, wash them with soap and water right after applying. This will help avoid spreading the medication to other areas of the body like the eyes or mouth, where it could cause irritation.
- Don't cover capsaicin/menthol with a tight bandage. Also, avoid applying a heating pad or other heating device to an area with this medication. Doing so can raise your risk for side effects like skin irritation and burns.
- Also, don't use capsaicin/menthol with other topical pain medications. It's not known if using multiple topical pain medications at the same time will affect how well they work and how safe they are.
- Capsaicin/menthol contains capsaicin, which comes from a chemical that's found in chili peppers. Talk to your provider before using this medication if you're allergic to chili peppers.
Risks and warnings for Capsaicin/menthol
Capsaicin/menthol 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.
Risk of serious burns
- Risk factors: Covering the application area | Applying heat to the application area
Although rare, capsaicin/menthol can cause serious skin burns. If this happens, it usually occurs within 24 hours of the first use. Sometimes, they can be so severe that you might need to go to the hospital. Stop using this medication if you experience pain, blistering, or swelling at the site of application and get medical help right away.
Capsaicin/menthol dosage
Typical dosage for Capsaicin/menthol
This medication is available in different forms and strengths, which can have different instructions for use. Also, depending on the strength, it can be used by different age groups.
Read the package label to make sure you're using the medication correctly. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you're unsure about how to use it. Dosing for a few products is listed below.
Patch
Salonpas Pain Relieving Gel-Patch Hot: This product contains 0.025% of capsaicin and 1.25% of menthol.
- Adults and children ages 12 years or older: Apply 1 patch to the affected area no more than 3 to 4 times daily. You can leave a patch on for up to 8 hours.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Gel or cream
Capzasin Quick Relief Gel: This product contains 0.025% of capsaicin and 10% of menthol.
- Adults ages 18 years or older: Apply the desired amount to the affected area. Then, use the sponge-top applicator to massage it into the skin until it's fully absorbed. Use no more than 3 to 4 times daily.
- Children under 18 years old: Ask your child's provider.
InstaSoothe Pain Relief Cream: This product contains 0.025% of capsaicin and 2% of menthol.
- Adults and children ages 2 years or older: Apply the desired amount to the affected area no more than 3 to 4 times daily.
- Children under 2 years old: Ask your child's provider.
What are alternatives to Capsaicin/menthol?
Relief of minor aches and pains in the muscles and joints caused by:
