Topical patches as treatments for the management of patient musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain

Abstract

The variety and multiple dimensions of pain (acute/chronic, mild/moderate/severe, nociceptive/neuropathic) requires different pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments in certain patients. A lot of topical formulation, from various therapeutic classes have been proposed in order to decrease systemic exposure and to reduce the risks of adverse events. Topical as well as transdermal drug delivery systems are proposed as medicated plasters with: anesthetics (lidocaine), analgesic or nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDs), alone or co-formulated. Capsaicin, salicylates, menthol and camphor represent the counterirritant class of topical analgesics used as patch active compounds. These compounds produce their analgesic effect by activating and desensitizing epidermal nociceptors. The most used topical treatment in order to decrease pain is the application of cold and heat patches - by acting directly on the affected tissue. In many cases there is a limited number of studies providing insufficient information to clinicians in order to evaluate the benefits of these products. This paper reviews the use and efficacy of available self-adhesing occlusive medicated plaster (pain patches) that might represent an alternative option for the management of patient pain, specially in the case of musculoskeletal and neuropathic disorders.

Keywords

• musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain
• patch
• medicated plaster
• efficacy