Analgesic Balm (Topical application)
Generic name: menthol and methyl salicylate (topical application route) [ MEN-thol, METH-il-sa-LIS-i-late ]
Drug class:Topical rubefacient
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 18, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Benalg
- Thera-Gesic
In Canada
- Analgesic Balm
- Bengay Original
- Buckley's Pain Relief Rub
Chemical Class: Salicylate, Non-Aspirin
Uses for Analgesic Balm
Menthol and methyl salicylate combination topical is used to relieve minor pain caused by arthritis, simple backache, bruises, cramps, muscle strains, or sprain. This medicine is a topical analgesic.
This medicine is available without a prescription.
Before using Analgesic Balm
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of menthol and methyl salicylate topical in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of menthol and methyl salicylate topical in geriatric patients.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Warfarin
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergy to aspirin or salicylates—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.
