A Guide to Topical Pain Relief
It’s all too easy to reach for a pain pill, whether over-the-counter or prescription, when you are faced with a headache, toothache, or back pain. This can be a natural reaction because, of course, these medications can provide relief. But they can also have unwanted side effects with usage over extended periods. Recent studies also indicate that oral medications for pain relief are not as effective as you are often led to believe.
If you suffer from post-exercise muscle aches, headaches, or even a chronic pain condition, there are alternative sources of effective relief available. One such alternative is topical analgesics. These topical pain relievers come in many different forms – including creams, lotions, patches, and gels – that our compounding pharmacists at Kress Specialty Apothecary can tailor to your individual needs. This process takes your personal patient profile into consideration by factoring in your size, health, allergies, and personal preferences.
Why Use Topical Medications
There are several good reasons to try a topical alternative to your oral pain medications. The most important factor is the fact that topical medications often have fewer physical side effects than oral pain medications. Anti-inflammatories and other over-the-counter medicines have specific negative effects associated with them, including:
- Nausea;
- Sudden bleeding;
- Increased risk of stroke;
- Increased risk of heart attack;
- And liver problems (acetaminophen).
On the other hand, topical medications, when used appropriately and as directed, generally have very few side effects associated with them. In addition, topical pain relievers can be faster acting and you will usually know right away if the topical is working for you. Topical medications can also be applied directly on the source of your pain and some current research even suggests that topical pain medications provide longer lasting relief than oral medications do.
Your doctor can also prescribe a prescription topical pain reliever if it better suits your health needs.
Contact Kress Specialty Apothecary for a Topical Pain Medication Consultation
Topical pain medications can be a safe and effective alternative to oral pain medication. These topical solutions can further be personalized to your needs through compounding. Contact one of our specialty pharmacy professionals today by either stopping in our store location in Barrington, New Jersey or by giving us a call at 856-323-8723. If you’ve never tried a topical pain reliever or if you’d like to explore finding safer and more effective pain relief, we are here to guide you.