Nurofen Muscular Pain Relief Gel Pharmacy Only
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Nurofen Muscular Pain Relief Gel Pharmacy Only
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each 1 gram of gel contains 50 mg of ibuprofen.
For excipients, see 6.1
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Gel
Colourless or almost colourless, clear or slightly opalescent gel.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory for backache, rheumatic and muscular pain, sprains, strains and sports injuries.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
For cutaneous use.
Adults, the elderly and children over 14 years: Squeeze 50 to 125 mg (4 to 10 cm) of the gel from the tube and lightly rub into the affected area until absorbed.
The dose should not be repeated more frequently than every four hours and no more than 4 times in any 24 hour period.
Wash hands after every application. Do not exceed the stated dose. Review treatment after 2 weeks, especially if the symptoms worsen or persist.
Children under 14 years: Do not use on children under 14 years of age except on the advice of a doctor.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. Hypersensitivity to aspirin, or other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, asthma, rhinitis or urticaria.
Not to be used on broken or damaged skin.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Apply with gentle massage only. Avoid contact with eyes, mucous membranes and inflamed or broken skin.
Discontinue if rash develops.
Hands should be washed immediately after use.
Not for use with occlusive dressings.
The label will state:
Do not exceed the stated dose.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
For external use only.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not use if you are allergic to ibuprofen or any of the ingredients, aspirin or any other painkillers.
Consult your doctor before use if:
You are taking aspirin or any other pain relieving medication.
You are pregnant.
Not recommended for children under 14 years.
Oral NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can sometimes be associated with renal impairment, aggravation of active peptic ulcers, and can induce allergic bronchial reactions in susceptible asthmatic patients. Although the systemic absorption of topically applied ibuprofen is less than for oral dosage forms, these complications can occur in rare cases. For these reasons, patients with an active peptic ulcer, a history of kidney problems or asthma should seek medical advice before using Ibuprofen gel as should patients already taking other painkillers.
Patients should seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or persist.
Patients should be advised against excessive exposure to sunlight of area treated in order to avoid possibility of photosensitivity.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may interact with blood pressure lowering drugs, and may possibly enhance the effects of anticoagulants, although the chance of either of these occurring with a topically administered preparation is extremely remote.
Concurrent aspirin or other NSAIDS may result in an increased incidence of adverse reactions.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation.
Pregnancy:
Although no teratogenic effects have been demonstrated in animal experiments, ibuprofen should be avoided during pregnancy. The onset of labour may be delayed and the duration of labour increased.
Lactation:
Ibuprofen appears in breast milk in very low concentrations but is unlikely to affect breast fed infants adversely
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Very rarely, susceptible patients may experience the following side effects with ibuprofen, but these are extremely uncommon when ibuprofen is administered topically. If they occur, treatment should be discontinued:-
Immune system disorders:
Not known: Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported and these may consist of
a. non-specific allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
b. respiratory tract reactivity e.g. asthma, aggravated asthma, bronchospasm, dyspnoea
c. assorted skin disorders, including rashes of various types, pruritis, urticaria, purpura, angioedema and less commonly, exfoliative and bullous dermatoses (including epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme)
Gastro-intestinal disorders:
Not known: Abdominal pain and dyspepsia have been reported.
Renal and urinary disorders:
Not known: Renal impairment (can occur in patients with a history of kidney problems).
4.9 Overdose
Overdosage with a topical presentation is unlikely.
Symptoms of severe ibuprofen overdosage (eg following accidental oral ingestion) include headache, vomiting, drowsiness and hypotension.
Correction of severe electrolyte abnormalities should be considered.
In children ingestion of more than 400 mg/kg may cause symptoms. In adults the dose response effect is less clear cut. The half-life in overdose is 1.5-3 hours.
Symptoms
Most patients who have ingested clinically important amounts of NSAIDs will develop no more than nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, or more rarely diarrhoea. Tinnitus, headache and gastrointestinal bleeding are also possible. In more serious poisoning, toxicity is seen in the central nervous system, manifesting as drowsiness, occasionally excitation and disorientation or coma. Occasionally patients develop convulsions. In serious poisoning metabolic acidosis may occur and the prothrombin time/INR may be prolonged, probably due to interference with the actions of circulating clotting factors. Acute renal failure and liver damage may occur. Exacerbation of asthma is possible in asthmatics.
Management
Management should be symptomatic and supportive and include the maintainance of a clear airway and monitoring of cardiac and vital signs until stable. Consider oral administration of activated charcoal if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion of a potentially toxic amount. If frequent or prolonged, convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam or lorazepam. Give bronchodilators for asthma.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti-inflammatory preparations, non-steroids for topical use.
ATC code: M02AA13
The gel is for topical application. It contains the active ingredient, ibuprofen, a phenylpropionic acid derivative which exerts its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects directly in inflamed tissues underlying the site of application, mainly by inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis. Because it is formulated in an aqueous/ alcoholic gel, the preparation also exerts a soothing and cooling effect when applied to the affected area
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Specially formulated for external application, the active ingredient penetrates through the skin rapidly and extensively (approximately 22% of a finite dose within 48 hours), achieving high, therapeutically relevant local concentrations in underlying soft tissues, joints and the synovial fluid, whilst producing plasma levels that are unlikely to be sufficient to cause any systemic side-effects, other than in rare individuals who are hypersensitive to ibuprofen.
The systemic bioavailability reached through topical ibuprofen administration is about 5% of the level achieved through oral formulations.
Furthermore, there do not appear to be any appreciable differences between the oral and topical routes of administration regarding metabolism or excretion.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
No relevant information additional to that contained elsewhere in the SPC.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Hydroxyethylcellulose Sodium hydroxide Benzyl alcohol Isopropyl alcohol Purified water
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf life
3 years
6.4
6.5
Nature and contents of container
Aluminium tube with internal epoxy phenolic coating and polyethylene screw cap containing 100g.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
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29/01/2016