ethyl nicotinate + methyl salicylate + racemic camphor: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• General Sales List topical aerosol for symptomatic local relief.
• Confirm the pain is suitable for self-care and reassess persistent symptoms.
• Counsel on inhalation avoidance and aerosol flammability.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding requires individual consideration because product-specific evidence is limited.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to any ingredient
• Children under 5 years
• Broken or damaged skin or open cuts
• Application to the eyes, face, mucous membranes or sensitive areas

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is specified.
• Assess local irritation or hypersensitivity and review persistent symptoms.

Clinical pharmacology

Methyl salicylate is a locally acting analgesic and counter-irritant; ethyl nicotinate causes superficial vasodilation and rubefaction; camphor provides mild analgesic, rubefacient and counter-irritant activity. Methyl salicylate absorption through the skin varies with formulation and exposure.

Formulation and product differences

• The product is a pressurised topical aerosol containing denatured ethanol and hydrocarbon propellant.
• It is extremely flammable and must be protected from heat and sunlight; the container must not be pierced or burned.
• Massage is not required after application.