Medi-Derm RX

Uses

Capsaicin is indicatd for- Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Pain due to diabetic neuropathy, Joint pain, Post-herpetic neuralgia, Post-surgical neuropathic pain, Nerve Pain, Back pain, Muscle pain, Fibromyalgia, Bursitis, Pruritis (itching)

Methyl salicylate is a topical counter-irritant used for the symptomatic relief of acute musculoskeletal pain in the muscles, joints, and tendons.

Ointments or liniments containing methyl salicylate are applied topically as counter irritant for relief of acute pain associated with lumbago,sciatica and rheumatic conditions. Local analgesics for human and veterinary medicine.

Medi-Derm RX is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Arthritis, Back Pain Lower Back, Backache, Bursitis, Contusions, Inflammatory Reaction caused by Rheumatism, Muscle Cramps, Musculoskeletal Pain, Osteoarthritis (OA), Periarthritis, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), Rheumatic Pain, Soft Tissue Injury, Tendinitis, Acute nonspecific tenosynovitisAcute Muscle Pain, Arthritis, Back Pain Lower Back, Backache, Contusions, Joint Pain, Ligament pain, Muscle Inflammation, Muscle Injuries, Muscle Strain, Muscle swelling, Pain, Pain of the Bone and Bones, Pain, Nerve, Partial-Onset Seizures, Postherpetic Neuralgia, Soreness, Muscle, Sprains, Tendon pain, Minor aches, Muscle, joint pains

How Medi-Derm RX works

Capsaicin has been shown to reduce the amount of substance P associated with inflammation - however this is not believed to be its main mechanism in the relief of pain . Capsaicin's mechanism of action is attributed to "defunctionalization" of nociceptor fibers by inducing a topical hypersensitivity reaction on the skin. This alteration in pain mechanisms is due to many of the following: temporary loss of membrane potential, inability to transport neurotrophic factors leading to altered phenotype, and reversible retraction of epidermal and dermal nerve fiber terminals.

Counter-irritation is thought to be effective at alleviating musculoskeletal pain as the irritation of the sensory nerve endings is thought to alter or offset pain in the underlying muscle or joints that are served by the same nerves . This is thought to mask the underlying musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. When applied topically, methyl salicylate is thought to penetrate the skin and underlying tissues where it reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzyme and locally and peripherally prevents the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin and thromboxane A2.

Dosage

Medi-Derm RX dosage

18 years of age and older:Apply a thin film of Capsaicin cream to affected area 3 to 4 times daily. A burning sensation may occur upon application, but generally disappears with regular use. Application schedules of 3 to 4 times a day for 2 weeks provides optimum pain relief.

Side Effects

Capsaicin may cause transient burning on application. This burning is observed more frequently when the application schedules are more than 3-4 times daily. The burning can be enhanced if too much cream is used and if it is applied just before or after a bath or shower.

Toxicity

Acute oral LD50 and dermal LD50 in mouse are 47.2 mg/kg and >512 mg/kg, respectively . Capsaicin is shown to be mutagenic for bacteria and yeast .

Capsaicin can cause serious irritation, conjunctivitis and lacrimation via contact with eyes. It induces a burning sensation and pain in case of contact with eyes and skin. As it is also irritating to the respiratory system, it causes lung irritation and coughing as well as bronchoconstriction. Other respiratory effects include laryngospasm, swelling of the larynx and lungs, chemical pneumonitis,respiratory arrest and central nervous system effects such as convulsions and excitement . In case of ingestion, gastrointestinal tract irritation may be observed along with a sensation of warmth or painful burning . Symptoms of systemic toxicity include disorientation, fear, loss of body motor control including diminished hand-eye coordination, hyperventilation, tachycardia, and pulmonary oedema . Careful early decontamination is recommended and medical intervention should be initiated for any life-threatening symptoms. In case of contact, individual must be removed from the source of exposure and the contacted skin and mucous membranes should be thoroughly washed with copious amounts of water .

Oral LD50 values (mg/kg) for mouse, rat and rabbit are 1110, 887 and 1300, respectively. Oral LD50 values for child and adult human (mg/kg) are 228 and 506, respectively. Although systemic toxicity from topical administration is rare, methyl salicylate can be absorbed in intract skin to cause stimulation of the central nervous system respiratory center, disturbance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and disturbance of intracellular respiration. Severe toxicity can result in acute lung injury, lethargy, coma, seizures, cerebral edema, and death. In case of salicylate poisoning, the treatment consists of general supportive care, gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal in cases of salicylate ingestion, and monitoring of serum salicylate concentrations. Bicarbonate infusions or hemodialysis can be used to achieve enhanced salicylate elimination .

Precaution

Capsaicin cream should not be applied to broken or irritated skin. Applied area should not be tightly bandaged. Do not get on mucous membranes and into eyes or on contact lenses. If this occurs, rinse the affected area thoroughly with water. Do not apply the cream on the heat treated area as this may increase the burning sensation. In case of accidental ingestion, seek physician advice immediately.

Volume of Distribution

After absorption, methyl salicylate is distributed throughout most body tissues and most transcellular fluids, primarily by pH dependent passive processes. Salicylate is actively transported by a low-capacity, saturable system out of the CSF across the choroid plexus. The drug readily crosses the placental barrier.

Elimination Route

Oral: Following oral administration, capsaicin may be absorbed by a nonactive process from the stomach and whole intestine with an extent of absorption ranging between 50 and 90%, depending on the animal . The peak blood concentration can be reached within 1 hour following administration . Capsaicin may undergo minor metabolism in the small intestine epithelial cells post-absorption from the stomach into the small intestines. While oral pharmacokinetics information in humans is limited, ingestion of equipotent dose of 26.6 mg of pure capsaicin, capsaicin was detected in the plasma after 10 minutes and the peak plasma concentration of 2.47 ± 0.13 ng/ml was reached at 47.1 ± 2.0 minutes .

Systemic: Following intravenous or subcutaneous administration in animals, the concentrations in the brain and spinal cord were approximately 5-fold higher than that in blood and the concentration in the liver was approximately 3-fold higher than that in blood .

Topical: Topical capsaicin in humans is rapidly and well absorbed through the skin, however systemic absorption following topical or transdermal administration is unlikely . For patients receiving the topical patch containing 179 mg of capsaicin, a population analysis was performed and plasma concentrations of capsaicin were fitted using a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and linear elimination. The mean peak plasma concentration was 1.86 ng/mL but the maximum value observed in any patient was 17.8 ng/mL .

Approximately 12-20% of topically applied methyl salicylate may be systemically absorbed through intact skin within 10 hours of application, and absorption varies with different conditions such as surface area and pH. Dermal bioavailability is in the range of 11.8 – 30.7%. For the assessment of potential oral exposure to salicylates, bioavailability is assumed to be 100% .

Half Life

Following oral ingestion of equipotent dose of 26.6 mg of pure capsaicin, the half life was approximately 24.9 ± 5.0 min . Following topical application of 3% solution of capsaicin, the half-life of capsaicin was approximately 24 h . The mean population elimination half-life was 1.64 h following application of a topical patch containing 179 mg of capsaicin .

The plasma half-life for salicylate is 2 to 3 hr in low doses and about 12 hr at usual anti-inflammatory doses. The half-life of salicylate may be as long as 15 to 30 hr at high therapeutic doses or when there is intoxication.

Elimination Route

It is proposed that capsaicin mainly undergoes renal excretion, as both the unchanged and glucuronide form. A small fraction of unchanged compound is excreted in the feces and urine. In vivo animal studies demonstrates that less than 10 % of an administered dose was found in faces after 48 h .

Excreted by kidneys as free salicylic acid (10%), salicyluric acid (75%), salicylic phenolic (10%) and acyl glucuronide (5%), and gentisic acid (less than 1%).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

The safety of Capsaicin during pregnancy or lactation has not been established in either humans or animals.

Contraindication

Capsaicin cream is contraindicated on broken or irritated skin. It is also contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to capsaicin or any of the excipients used in this product.

Acute Overdose

Sufficient information on overdose of Capsaicin is not available.

Storage Condition

Keep at cool and dry place, away form light. Keep out of the reach of children.

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