Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Muscular pain
Rheumatic pain
Symptoms of sprains and strains

Administration

For topical administration.

Contraindications

None known.

Precautions and Warnings

Do not apply to broken or sensitive skin. Avoid use on mucous membranes.

Within a few minutes of application a sensation of warmth is felt, followed by a reddening of the skin. This erythema does not indicate intolerance.

Discontinue is a rash develops.

Wash hands immediately after use.

Avoid occlusive dressings.

Minimise exposure of treated area to excessive sunlight in order to avoid the possibility of photosensitivity.

Pregnancy - see 'Pregnancy' section

Breastfeeding - see 'Lactation' section

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

There have been no reports of any adverse effects, however care should be taken when administering to pregnant women.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14-17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

There have been no reports of any adverse effects, however care should be taken when administering to women who are breastfeeding.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Contact sensitisation
Photosensitivity

Presentation

Cream containing:
Ethyl nicotinate 2%
Hexyl nicotinate 2%
Tetrahydrofurfuryl salicylate 14%

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Muscular pain
Rheumatic pain
Symptoms of sprains and strains

Dosage

Adults

Elderly

Children

Administration

For topical administration.

Contraindications

None known.

Precautions and Warnings

Do not apply to broken or sensitive skin. Avoid use on mucous membranes.

Within a few minutes of application a sensation of warmth is felt, followed by a reddening of the skin. This erythema does not indicate intolerance.

Discontinue is a rash develops.

Wash hands immediately after use.

Avoid occlusive dressings.

Minimise exposure of treated area to excessive sunlight in order to avoid the possibility of photosensitivity.

Pregnancy - see 'Pregnancy' section

Breastfeeding - see 'Lactation' section

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

There have been no reports of any adverse effects, however care should be taken when administering to pregnant women.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14-17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

There have been no reports of any adverse effects, however care should be taken when administering to women who are breastfeeding.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery

None known.

Counselling

Advise patient to minimise exposure of treated areas to sunlight/sunlamps due to possibility of photosensitisation.

Side Effects

Contact sensitisation
Photosensitivity

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111.

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Shelf Life and Storage

Do not store above 25 degrees C

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: February 2011

Reference Sources

Summary of Product Characteristics: Transvasin Heat Rub Cream. Thornton and Ross Ltd. Revised January 2008.