Bengay Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Bengay Ultra Strength Cream is an over-the-counter topical pain reliever containing camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate. It is rubbed onto the skin to help temporarily relieve minor muscle and joint pain from strains, sprains, cramps, swelling, arthritis, bruising, or backaches. The cream works by creating a cooling or warming sensation that distracts the nerves from the pain. It is for external use only and comes in several forms and strengths.

What is Bengay Cream

Bengay Ultra Strength Cream is an over-the-counter topical pain reliever that contains camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate. You rub it onto the skin to help ease minor muscle and joint pain.

Bengay Cream uses

• Temporary relief of muscle or joint pain from strains, sprains, cramps, swelling, arthritis, bruising, or backaches
• Simple backache, arthritis, lumbago, strains, bruises, and sprains

Benefits of Bengay Cream

• Provides temporary relief of minor aches and pains in muscles and joints
• Creates a cooling or warming sensation that distracts nerves so pain feels less intense

How Bengay Cream works

The active ingredients create a cooling or warming sensation on the skin that distracts your nerves so you feel less pain.

Bengay Cream dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take this medicine by mouth; it is for use only on the skin. Do not use it on open wounds, damaged skin, broken skin, or irritated skin. Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine, and clean and dry the affected area before applying it.

Apply a thin layer only on the painful area and gently massage until the cream disappears into the skin. Do not bandage treated skin tightly or expose it to heat such as a heating pad. This medicine can cause a cold or burning sensation that is usually mild and should lessen over time; if it causes a lot of discomfort, wash the skin with soap and water. Do not smoke until the product has completely dried on your skin, since some forms are flammable.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after about a week, or if they improve and then come back a few days later. Adults and children 12 years of age and older may use this product; children under 12 should only use it if a doctor advises it.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Gel
• Spray
• Ointment
• Powder
• Film
• Foam
• Skin patch

Side effects of Bengay Cream

Common

• Stinging, burning, or tingling sensation of the skin
• Redness or irritation where the medicine was applied

Serious

• Severe burning, stinging, irritation, pain, swelling, rash, or blistering where the medicine was applied
• Pain that goes away and then comes back after 7 to 10 days
• Signs of allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine on wounds, damaged skin, or skin that is blistered.
• Do not use this medicine with a heating pad.
• Do not use on a child under 12 years of age who has arthritis-like conditions.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have redness over the area you plan to treat.
• Avoid contact with the eyes or mucous membranes such as the mouth and nose, and do not bandage the treated area tightly.
• Using too much of this medicine can lead to salicylate toxicity, which has been linked to Reye's syndrome.
• If you use other salicylate-containing products, such as aspirin, combining them may lead to salicylate poisoning.
• If you take blood thinners such as Coumadin, combining them with this medicine may increase the risk of bleeding because this product contains salicylate.
• If severe burning, redness, swelling, or rash occurs, stop use.
• This medicine is for external use only; do not swallow it.
• There is not enough information about safe use during pregnancy; use during pregnancy must be under medical supervision.
• There is not enough information about safe use during breastfeeding; use during breastfeeding must be under medical supervision.
• This medicine has no effect on your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Store tightly closed at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F)
• Store in the original package and do not store different medicines in the same package
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date on the package
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have pain, swelling, burning, redness, irritation, or blistering after using it, or if pain goes away and then returns after 7 to 10 days.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if your condition gets worse, your symptoms last more than 7 days, your symptoms go away and come back within a few days, or you have excessive skin irritation.
• If someone swallows this medicine, including a child who swallows it by accident, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Salonpas Cream
• Voltaren Gel
• Icy Hot Cream