Ben-Gay

Ben-gay has distracting and analgesic properties. Promotes the expansion of capillaries, and also affects sensitive skin receptors.

Indications Ben-Gay

Among the indications of the medicine:

• myalgia, and with it arthralgia (also those that arise with various inflammations), and in addition, stiffness in the joints;
• sharp pains in the region of the lumbosacral vertebral part that arise due to stretching;
• intensive physical exercises in sports (balm is used for this).

[1]

Release form

Produced in the form of a sports balm or cream, in tubes of 35 g. One package contains 1 tube of medicine.

Pharmacodynamics

Thanks to menthol, the medicine has a warming effect, which reduces pain with spasms, as well as tension. In addition, this substance can accelerate blood flow, increase motor volume and simplify the process of removing irritant components (lactic acid). The effect is manifested in the organs under the skin - muscles with tendons and joints, and in addition in separate internal organs.

Absorbed from the skin, methyl salicylate effectively reduces pain.

[2], [3]

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption of menthol occurs through the walls of the mucosa, after which the substance enters the subcutaneous tissue. With local drug use, the concentration of menthol inside the systemic blood flow is rather weak.

After local application, methyl salicylate passes through the skin in the tissues. With such exposure, the substance does not reach the concentration necessary for anesthesia within the circulatory system.

The excretion of salicylates is mainly carried out through the kidneys. The rate of this process depends on the pH of the urine, as well as the concentration of the substance inside the plasma.

[4]

Dosing and administration

The medicine is applied topically - the cream in large quantities should be rubbed in the area of the skin, covered with lesions. Suction occurs quite quickly. If necessary, the processing process can be repeated after several hours (no more than 3-4 times per day).

Balm should be rubbed into the skin over the muscles in large quantities. If it is necessary - it is allowed to repeat the processing process, but no more than 3-4 times a day.

[8], [9],

Use Ben-Gay during pregnancy

After penetrating the circulatory system, salicylates pass through the placenta, as well as into breast milk. They are able to have a negative effect on the fetus (in particular, this applies to the 3rd trimester of pregnancy - for example, it may provoke premature closure of the Botallus duct or prolonged delivery).

Although with local application of methyl salicylate, its plasma concentration should not rise to the levels dangerous to the fetus / child, the doctor should decide whether to use Ben-gay during pregnancy / lactation, based on the possible benefit for the patient in relation to the risk of adverse effects in child or fetus.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications of the drug: the presence of open wounds on the surface of the skin, increased sensitivity to drugs, skin irritation, as well as the age of the child less than 12 years.

[5], [6]

Side effects Ben-Gay

As a result of the use of drugs, a hypersensitivity reaction may occasionally be observed with respect to its components.

Racetenol is capable of provoking adverse reactions, including urticaria, rashes on the skin, itching, and in addition Quincke's edema and hyperemia. With external use of the substance, the probability of developing negative reactions is very low.

Methylsalicylate is able to cause local irritation in a pronounced form.

[7],

Overdose

Overdosage of methyl salicylate and menthol occurs rarely - as a rule, similar disorders were observed in children who accidentally swallowed the medicine.

After external use, an overdose occurs very rarely, solely as a result of misuse of medicines - when treating mucous or extensive areas of infected or damaged skin.

Signs of an overdose of methylsalicylate substance: breathing becomes deeper, hyperpyretic fever develops, and also agitation.

Signs of an overdose of the substance racemtol: abdominal pain, vomiting along with nausea, and in addition symptoms of CNS suppression (unstable gait, dizziness, drowsiness, blood rush to the skin of the face, and suppression of the respiratory process and coma).

To eliminate violations requires treatment aimed at getting rid of the symptoms and supporting the patient's condition. In addition, there is a regulation of the water-electrolyte balance, the appointment of salt laxatives to the patient, as well as adsorbents. The procedure of forced diuresis is performed, and along with this, an external decrease in body temperature. If the degree of overdose is severe, you may need a blood transfusion and a hemodialysis procedure.

[10], [11]

Interactions with other drugs

Since Ben-gay provokes cutaneous hyperemia, and at the same time reflexively increases the rate of blood circulation under the skin, it should not be combined with other drugs with local action, because this can enhance the absorption of the latter.

In patients who suffer from intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid, after external use of methyl salicylate, an allergy to the skin was observed, and in addition Quincke edema.

[12]

Storage conditions

The medicine should be kept in a place with standard conditions for storing medicines. The temperature should not exceed 25 ° C.

[13], [14]

Shelf life

Ben-gay is allowed to be used for 2 years from the date of manufacture of drugs.