menthol
Menthol is a medication that's applied to the skin to help relieve minor aches and pains. It's available over the counter (OTC) as brand-name and lower-cost generic options. Menthol comes in many different forms including patches, gel, cream, spray, and topical liquid. This medication doesn't cause many side effects, but it might not work as well as some other pain relief formulations that contain multiple ingredients.
What is Menthol?
What is Menthol used for?
Minor aches and pains in muscles and joints related to:
- Arthritis
- Backache
- Strains
- Sprains
- Bruises
- Cramps
- Bursitis (inflamed bursa)
- Tendonitis (inflamed tendon)
How Menthol works
Menthol is a topical analgesic. It relieves pain when applied to the skin. Menthol is a naturally-occurring chemical that comes from the peppermint plant. When it's applied to the skin, it acts as a counterirritant. This means that it turns on pain sensors in the skin, which then makes them less sensitive to other pain signals.
Drug facts
Side effects of 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
- Skin irritation
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin redness
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
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Pros and cons of Menthol
Pros
- Available OTC as a lower-cost generic
- Comes in many different formulations
- Can be applied directly to the painful area
- Generally well tolerated with few side effects
- Patches can be worn for up to 8 hours.
Cons
- Can't apply to irritated or damaged skin
- Shouldn't be used for more than 7 days at a time
- Can cause irritation if it makes contact with the eyes
- Shouldn't be used with other topical skin products
- Patches won't stick well to damp or wet skin.
Pharmacist tips for Menthol
- Clean and dry the affected area completely before applying menthol. Wash your hands with cool water once you've finished applying the medication. This will help avoid irritating your eyes or other sensitive areas if it comes into contact with menthol.
- Don't use menthol at the same time as other topical products. It's not known if using them at the same time can affect how well the medication works or how safe it is for you.
- Don't cover menthol with a tight bandage. Also don't apply a heating pad or other heating device to an area with the medication on it. This can raise your risk for getting skin irritation or burning from the patch.
- If your condition worsens, your symptoms last more than 7 days, they go away and come back again within a few days, or if you develop excessive skin irritation or burning, stop using menthol and contact your provider.
- Some menthol gels can be used with ice packs, if needed. You can also apply a wet or dry bandage on an area that's treated with the gel, but make sure to wrap it loosely to avoid side effects. Read the instructions on the package to see if this is possible with the product you're using.
For menthol patches:
- To put on a patch, peel off part of the backing to expose the sticky side of the patch. Apply this sticky part onto your skin. Then remove the rest of the backing while pressing the patch to your skin. This technique helps to avoid getting the medication on your hands.
- If you need to apply a menthol patch to a hairy area of the body, you can trim the excess hair so the patch will stick better.
- To remove, make sure the patch is dry before slowly peeling it off. This will help avoid skin irritation.
- Throw menthol patches away after a single use. The best way to throw a medicated patch away is to fold it in half (sticky sides together) and then place it in a lidded trash can. This will keep someone from accidentally touching the medicated side of the patch and getting it on their skin.
Common questions about Menthol
You should only apply menthol to healthy skin. Don't apply it to wounds or irritated or damaged skin, and don't bandage the area tightly. This can raise your risk for serious burns. Also avoid getting the medication in or around your eyes, mouth, or genital areas since this can lead to irritation. If you experience severe burning or blistering, stop using menthol and get medical help right away.
Typically, it's only recommended to use menthol for pain relief for up to 7 days. If you're still having pain in the same area after 7 days of using menthol, or if your pain goes away and comes back again a few days later, you should talk to your healthcare provider. There might be something else causing your pain that your provider should check out.
No, you shouldn't use menthol at the same time as other medicated skin products or topical pain relievers. It's not known if these other products can interfere with how well menthol works or if it could put you at a higher risk for skin irritation. Speak with your provider if you have questions about using multiple products at the same time.
No, you shouldn't cut menthol patches to fit a particular area of your body. This can change the way the medication gets released from the patch, which can lead to more side effects. You can find menthol patches in various sizes, so try to choose one that will best fit the area you're treating.
No, you should take the menthol patch off at least 1 hour before a shower or bath. Don't apply the patch right after showering or bathing because it won't stick as well.
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Risks and warnings for Menthol
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 skin burns
- Risk factors: Covering the application area tightly | Applying heat to the application area
Although rare, 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 the event requires hospitalization. Stop using menthol if you experience pain, blistering, or swelling at the site of application and get medical help right away.
Menthol dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 patches of 5% | 6 cartons | $22.37 | $3.73 |
Typical dosage for Menthol
Menthol is available in different strengths and formulations, and it can be used for different conditions. Make sure you follow the instructions on the package for the product you're using. Some examples include:
Menthol 5% patch
- Adults and children 12 years or older: Apply one patch to the affected area no more than 4 times daily. Leave the patch on for up to 8 hours.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's provider.
- Adults and children 2 years or older: Apply to the affected area up to 3 to 4 times daily.
- Children under 2 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Menthol 10.5% spray
- Adults and children 12 years or older: Spray onto the affected area up to 3 to 4 times daily.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's provider.
How much does Menthol cost?
$22.37
What are alternatives to Menthol?
Short-term relief of minor aches and pains in the muscles and joints caused by:
News about Menthol
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