Topical Pain Reliever Legal Information Center
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers that topical pain relievers like IcyHot might cause skin injuries.
What Are Topical Pain Relievers?
Not all pain is easily soothed by oral pain killers, and people who suffer localized pain for reasons such as muscle soreness or arthritis sometimes want more direct relief. That opical pain relievers, which are sold over the counter as creams, ointments, lotions, and patches containing menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin. These chemicals produce a warm or cool sensation after application. Examples of topical pain relievers include:
- IcyHot
- Bengay
- Capzasin
- Flexall
- Mentholatum
Topical Pain Relievers Might Cause Skin Injury Side Effects
On September 13, 2012 the FDA issued a drug safety communication warning consumers that topical pain relievers might cause severe adverse skin reactions such as:
- Burning pain
- Swelling
- Blistering
- First to third degree burns
These skin injury side effects occurred within 24 hours of use and often the first time the product was used.
The FDA explained that it discovered 43 cases of severe burns from topical pain relievers in an analysis of its adverse event reporting database and medical literature. In most circumstances of second or third degree burns, the product contained more than three percent concentration of menthol or 10 percent methyl salicylate. Few of the cases involved products containing capsaicin.
The FDA added that the number of cases is very small compared to the number of people who have used topical pain relievers. The agency does not believe that topical pain relievers pose a major risk to consumers, but the risk nevertheless exists. Those injured might be able to sue the manufacturer for compensation.
RLG’s Topical Pain Relievers Lawyers Will Make Things Easier
Have you been hurt by a topical pain reliever? If so, call the Rottenstein Law Group. The topical pain reliever lawyers here believe that obtaining legal satisfaction from those who harmed you shouldn’t require more hardship. That’s why we do everything we can to streamline the process, and we will file a topical pain reliever lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
RLG will also keep you up to date on any topical pain reliever class action lawsuits, additional FDA topical pain reliever warnings, and topical pain reliever FDA recall announcements. If you used a topical pain reliever and believe it harmed you, contact RLG today.
