Anti-Inflammatory Creams for Pain Relief - GoodRx (2024)

Swelling, aches, and pain — they’re all common symptoms of inflammation and they can throw off a perfectly good day. Sometimes these symptoms even linger for weeks, months, or years. Dietary changes and exercise can help reduce inflammation, but they don’t always fix the problem. It’s common to also need some help from medications.

Luckily, many medications are available that target pain and inflammation. They come as oral pills, oral liquids, and topical products that are applied to the skin. But since oral medications aren’t always necessary, and may cause body-wide side effects, topical options are often a good alternative to consider.

Let’s walk through the different options we have for anti-inflammatory creams below.

What are anti-inflammatory creams used for?

Anti-inflammatory creams can be used to treat several symptoms of pain and inflammation, including:

• Short-term strains or sprains

• Muscle aches or pain

• Tendon pain

• Joint pain from health conditions like osteoarthritis

If your pain and swelling is in a specific part of your body, topical medications like creams or gels are often a good option to consider. Keep in mind they usually only work where they’re applied. So, if you have pain and swelling in many parts of your body, an oral or injectable medication may be a better option.

How do anti-inflammatory creams work?

It depends on the medication. But the first step for all anti-inflammatory creams is to be absorbed through the skin. Once this happens, the medication starts to relieve pain in the nearby joints or muscles. This can happen with little-to-no distribution of the medication into the rest of the body.

We’ll discuss how these medications work later on.

Common topical anti-inflammatory products

Below, we’ve highlighted details about common topical anti-inflammatory creams and gels.

Topical NSAIDs

Voltaren (diclofenac) gel is a commonly used topical anti-inflammatory gel. It’s a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and it works by blocking an enzyme (protein) called cyclooxygenase (COX). COX is involved in making prostaglandins, which are chemicals that cause inflammation.

Voltaren 1% gel is used to treat arthritis pain in the hands, elbows, feet, and knees. It was originally an FDA-approved prescription medication, but it became available as an over-the-counter (OTC) product in February 2020. It comes in both brand-name and generic options. And Voltaren gel’s big brother — the diclofenac 3% gel — is FDA-approved for actinic keratosis, a skin condition caused by sun exposure.

If you prefer something other than a gel, other NSAID options are available with a prescription from your healthcare provider. Prescription diclofenac patches and liquid are also available to treat arthritis pain.

Capsaicin creams

Capsaicin creams are OTC products used for mild cases of muscle or joint pain. They’re made from an ingredient found in chili peppers. Capsaicin works by reducing inflammation and interfering with substance P, a chemical that’s involved in pain sensation. Capsaicin acts as a counterirritant, meaning it activates and desensitizes pain sensors.

Capsaicin creams are available in both brand-name (Capzasin-HP, Zostrix-HP) and lower-cost generic options. The available cream strengths often range from 0.025% to the higher 0.1%.

Another version of capsaicin — the capsaicin patch (Qutenza) — is also available. It’s a prescription medication used for shingles-related and diabetes-related nerve pain.

Menthol creams

Menthol creams are also OTC products used for mild cases of muscle or joint pain. Like capsaicin, menthol also affects inflammation and acts as a counterirritant. Many different brand-name and generic menthol creams are available. The strength of these creams commonly range from 1% to 12%, but they can be stronger.

Menthol is also included in many combination products, teaming up with medications like camphor, methyl salicylate, or cannabidiol (CBD). Some examples of combination products are Bengay cream (camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate) and Icy Hot cream (menthol and methyl salicylate).

Like capsaicin, menthol is also available as a topical patch. But the menthol patch is available OTC.

Homeopathic creams

Certain homeopathic medications — such as Topricin Pain Relief cream and Arnicare cream — are also marketed as OTC products for arthritis and joint pain. Homeopathy is the principle of “like cures like” — it’s a type of alternative medicine. That means these creams are made with diluted amounts of ingredients that can cause the same symptoms they treat.

Many health experts say there isn’t enough evidence to support using homeopathic medicines. But some people still say they have success with them. If you’re thinking about trying a homeopathic option, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider first.

How to apply anti-inflammatory creams

Anti-inflammatory creams should be applied to healthy skin on the affected area of your body. We’ve outlined the steps to applying these topical products here:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water before applying the medication.

2. Apply a thin layer of cream to the painful area. If provided, use the dosing card to measure the ideal amount of medication.

3. Rub the medication gently into your skin until you can no longer see it.

4. You can repeat doses as needed, but most products should only be used up to 4 times daily. Make sure to follow your product’s specific instructions about how often to use it.

5. Wait at least 1 hour before showering or wiping the area so your skin can properly absorb the medication.

   See Also

   This homemade balm can help relieve all your aches - Times of India

6. Clean your hands again after each application. This is especially important after applying capsaicin cream, which can cause a burning sensation.

It’s important to note that these creams should not be applied to irritated or broken skin or on open wounds. And avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose if residual medication is on your hands.

How effective are anti-inflammatory creams?

Research suggests that anti-inflammatory medications applied to the skin (excluding homeopathic medications) can be almost as effective as oral medications. And you can apply the medication directly where there is pain.

Compared to oral medications, this allows less medication to get to other places in your body. This can help prevent side effects. This is especially helpful in older adults, people with stomach or heart problems, or if you’re generally sensitive to medications.

Are there any risks or side effects to be aware of?

It depends on the anti-inflammatory cream that you’re using. Common side effects for these products are redness, burning, or irritation on the application area. You should ask a healthcare provider about what side effects to expect on a product-by-product basis.

Still, a general lack of side effects are a perk of many topical medications. For instance, Voltaren gel has a lower risk of serious side effects –– like stomach irritation or heart issues –– than oral NSAIDs.