Oral vs. Topical: Considering Effective Pain Relief Options

Managing chronic pain has become part of the daily lives of approximately 51.6 million American adults, according to the CDC. Generally described as pain that lasts beyond the past 6 months, it can wax and wane and vary depending on a person’s illness status, an injury, or as a result of a common condition such as arthritis. While chronic pain may limit your life or work activities for an extended period of time, it is different from acute pain which develops quickly, may vary in severity but begins to heal, lasting no more than 6 months.

Today, chronic pain is the most common experience of people in the US. In a 2016 study originating from the CDC, the prevalence of chronic pain in the US adult population was estimated at around 20.4%. And an even further 8% of this population suffers from highly limiting chronic pain that impacts a person’s work and daily life activities. Based on these findings from the CDC, it’s easy to see that managing chronic pain is an essential part of many people’s daily lives. So, finding solutions for chronic pain is essential to managing and restoring pain-free movement.

Relief From Chronic Pain

People have sought remedies and relief for their chronic pain conditions for decades, often taking oral medications or applying topical gels and pain relief creams. Medical practitioners have not found a one-size-fits-all approach to alleviating the effects of chronic pain as it is a multifaceted experience that varies from one person to another. So, treating chronic pain can be a complex process.

Here we explore the similarities and differences between oral and topical pain relief medications or analgesics.

How Oral Pain Medications Work to Reduce Pain

Oral pain medications reduce the level of pain a person is feeling by interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. Alternatively, medications classified in the oral NSAIDs category also help manage pain and fever by reducing inflammation. While many oral analgesics are available over-the-counter, these medications are not a good solution for everyone. Many contraindications against taking oral pain medications have been noted. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, those who suffer from allergies and lung problems, people who experience seizures, and those with heart, liver, kidney and blood pressure problems, should not take oral pain medications as they pose a greater risk in these populations. Though oral pain relievers have been a popular choice in the past for pain relief for those suffering with chronic pain, the well-known side effects of many of these medications have caused more people to look into alternative remedies, such as topical pain relievers, to reduce their overall pain burden without the complications of oral pain medications.

For prescription strength pain relief, physicians may prescribe patients with opioids to treat their chronic pain. These are sometimes called narcotics. Although available by prescription only, opioids have multiple, well-documented side effects and risks. Most importantly, opioids can cause physical dependence and addiction. Other side effects of opioids can include nausea and vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and respiratory depression. And in populations with asthma or COPD, opioid pain relievers may even cause life threatening respiratory failure.

In consideration of the side effects of oral pain medications and the dangers and dependence of opioid narcotics, pharmacologists, like US-based Chorda Pharma, have explored topical pain relief options to support chronic pain sufferers. In result, innovative, safe and effective over-the-counter treatments for chronic pain relief, without the side effects of oral pain relief medications have been developed.

Reducing Pain with Topical Pain Relievers

Topical pain relief medications are applied directly to the affected areas of the skin where pain is felt. Exactly how effective a topical medication may be, will depend on the active ingredient and strength in its formulation. Common active ingredients may include Lidocaine, Methyl Salicylate (aspirin), Menthol, Camphor, NSAIDs, Opioids, Diclofenac, and Capsaicin.

These active ingredients in topical medications reduce the level of pain a person is feeling by either distracting from the site of pain, blocking pain signals at the site of pain, numbing, or reducing inflammation and swelling.

The most common reasons for choosing topical over oral medications is summarized below:

- Topical pain relief has a lower risk of side effects, adverse events and drug interactions.
- Topical pain relief provides a lower dose of active ingredient(s) needed to achieve pain reduction.
- Topical pain relief reduces the potential for gastrointestinal, stomach flora disruption and side effects.
- Topical pain relief can increase ease of application in elderly, pill-shy and/or young patients.

Topical analgesic creams are relatively safe for daily use, but some potential side effects still exist with each active ingredient. There is potential for allergic reaction to menthol, aspirin, or inactive ingredients in many topical analgesics. Some topical products have an intense smell or cause skin irritation. And, capsaicin is traditionally associated with a burning sensation.

Why Capsadyn is Your Best Choice for Topical Pain Relief

This is where Capsadyn cream shines. Capsadyn contains the active ingredient capsaicin – the highest FDA approved over-the-counter amount (0.25%) delivered in a cream.

Chorda Pharma has created an odorless, non-greasy and easy to apply medicine. Unlike other capsaicin-containing creams, Capsadyn’s innovative formulation is non-irritating, and it doesn’t burn. In fact, Capsadyn is the first non-burning capsaicin topical cream to reach the market.

Chorda Pharma’s Capsadyn eliminates the burning tendency of capsaicin creams, so you can get the deep, penetrating pain relief you need in a maximum strength over-the-counter cream.

Capsadyn is recognized by the FDA as safe and effective for relieving pain and is manufactured in the USA by Chorda Pharma under strict FDA guidelines.

Capsadyn topical cream provides temporary pain relief for common problems such as muscle strains and sprains, bruises and swollen or tender joints that are frequent in people with arthritis. With its low risk for side effects and highly effective abilities in reducing pain, more and more people are making Capsadyn their No. 1 choice to help solve their pain relief needs.

If you’re interested in learning more about Capsadyn Cream, you can find additional information and resources available on our website at www.Capsadyn.com.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment.