Oral medications are commonly used for acute and chronic pain; however, these agents may have many side effects. Transdermal analgesics (pain medications applied to the skin) offer the potential to provide the same relief provided by oral medications but with less side effects. Studies have shown that these topical creams are effective to help relieve pain, reduce local inflammation and relax muscles.

Topical creams or gels can be formulated with multiple ingredients that help reduce pain in different ways. Some of the anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuropathic pain medications may include:

• Lidocaine
• Benzocaine
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Gabapentin
• Diclofenac
• Morphine
• Capsaicin
• Menthol
• Amitriptyline

References:

1. Moore RA, et al. Quantitative systematic review of topically applied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. BMJ. 1998 Jan 31; 316(7128): 333-8
2. Argoff CE. Topical analgesics in the management of acute and chronic pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013 Feb; 88(2): 195-205.