Medication Information Leaflet
Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of medications commonly used to treat pain and reduce inflammation. They are commonly used for muscle and joint pain or swelling. They are available as either a gel, cream or patch.
Examples of topical NSAIDs available without requiring a prescription include Diclofenac, Flurbiprofen, Ketoprofen and Piroxicam.
As topical NSAIDs are used frequently or when needed to relieve pain and swelling, it is not necessary to apply it on a fixed schedule. Please check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Do not use any airtight bandage or dressing over the area of application. This may increase the risk of side effects.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these rare symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
If you did not experience improvement in pain or it worsens after 7 days of treatment, your condition may be too serious for self-treatment and you should consult a healthcare professional.
Do not use any airtight bandages or dressing over the area of application. This may increase the risk of side effects.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack these medications into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimers
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
The information above is solely for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medicine or other treatment. Always speak with your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional before taking any medicine or supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. Under no circumstances will the National Medication Information workgroup be liable to any person for damages of any nature arising in any way from the use of such information.
Last updated on September 2023
This article was last reviewed on Thursday, March 21, 2024