藥物警訊（藥師週刊第1792期）

Over-The-Counter Topical Muscle and Joint Pain Relievers: Drug Safety Communication - Rare Cases of Serious Burns

AUDIENCE: Consumer, Health Professional

ISSUE: FDA is alerting the public that certain over-the-counter (OTC) products that are applied to the skin for the relief of mild muscle and joint pain have been reported to cause rare cases of serious skin injuries, ranging from first- to third-degree chemical burns, where the products were applied. When applied to the skin, the products produce a local sensation of warmth or coolness.These products should not cause pain or skin damage, however, there have been rare cases of serious burns following their use. Some of the burns had serious complications requiring hospitalization

BACKGROUND: OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers are used to temporarily relieve minor muscle and joint aches and pain. These OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers are available as single- or combination-ingredient products that contain menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin, and are marketed under various brand-names, such as, Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, Icy Hot, and Mentholatum. The various formulations include creams, lotions, ointments, and patches.

RECOMMENDATION: Consumers using an OTC topical muscle and joint pain reliever who experience signs of skin injury where the product was applied, such as pain, swelling, or blistering of the skin, should stop using the product and seek medical attention immediately. When recommending OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers to patients, healthcare professionals should counsel patients about how to use the products appropriately and inform them about the risk of serious burns.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

* Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
* Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the Drug Safety Communication, at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHuma...

FDA提醒大眾某些用來解除輕微肌肉和關節疼痛的外用非處方藥有用藥後導致嚴重的皮膚一至三級化學灼傷之零星案例。此類藥品使用於皮膚後會產生溫熱或涼爽 的感覺，但不應造成疼痛或皮膚損傷。然而，有極少數案例在使用此藥品後產生嚴重的灼傷，有些被灼傷的病人因伴有嚴重的併發症而需要住院治療。

肌肉和關節止痛的外用非處方藥主要用來暫時緩解輕微的肌肉和關節疼痛。此藥品可為單方或複方，成分包含menthol, methyl salicylate或capsaicin，市面上具有許多不同的商品名稱，例如Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, Icy Hot,和Mentholatum，也有如乳霜，水劑，軟膏或貼片等劑型。

消費者使用此類藥品後若產生皮膚疼痛、腫脹或起水泡症狀，應立即停止使用且就醫。當病人需要使用到此類外用止痛藥時，醫療專業人員應告知病人要如何使用此類藥品和可能發生嚴重灼傷的風險性。

相關訊息與連結請參考FDA網址：http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation /SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm319353.htm
[Posted 09/14/2012]

資料來源：美國FDA之藥物安全警訊
資料提供：台大醫院藥劑部