OTC Muscle and Joint Pain Relievers Linked to Chemical Burns: FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration has warned the public that using over the counter muscle and joint pain relievers could lead to chemical burns, though in very rare cases. The FDA revealed that it has so far identified 43 cases of burns caused by muscle and joint pain relievers over the years and added that products that contained menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin were more likely to cause such burns.

Releasing a statement to the public, the FDA said, “These products should not cause pain or skin damage. However, there have been rare cases of serious burns following their use”. The health agency added that products in which menthol and methyl salicylate concentrations were greater than 3 percent and methyl salicylate concentrations greater than 10 percent could lead to severe burns that can require hospitalizations.

Source-Medindia