Types of Topical Pain Relief Creams for Patients

Man and woman running together outside and smiling

Key Takeaways

  • Advil® Targeted Relief Cream uses four active ingredients to provide a hot–cold sensory experience for muscle and body pain, starting on contact and lasting up to 8 hours.
  • Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel contains diclofenac, an NSAID that is specifically designed for arthritis-related joint pain.
  • The main difference is that Advil Targeted Relief provides a multilayered sensory experience for general aches, helping focus the patient’s attention away from the pain, potentially offering a competing sensation to pull the focus away from the pain.

  • Types of Topical Pain Relief Creams for Patients

    Topical pain relief creams can work in different ways.1 Patients may be more likely to adhere to treatment plans incorporating topical creams since they are easy to administer.1 Another benefit of topical creams is that they may reduce the amount of exposure to the active ingredients compared to the amount of exposure that the chance of side effects that can potentially occurs from taking oral pain medications, which spread more medicine through the body.1 Patients with muscle or joint pain may need a different analgesic cream than those with arthritis pain. Learn more about the difference between over-the-counter topical analgesic creams like Advil Targeted Relief and Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel.

    What is Advil Targeted Relief?

    Advil Targeted Relief is an over-the-counter pain-relieving cream. It’s the 1st topical pain reliever from Advil, and it’s formulated with 4 active ingredients:*

    • Menthol: Provides a cooling sensation and comes from mint, peppermint, or spearmint plants.2 It also increases localized vasodilation to the application site.2
    • Capsaicin: This chemical comes from chili peppers.2 Capsaicin initially stimulates nociceptive nerve endings, which may produce a transient warming sensation.2 With continued use, it desensitizes peripheral sensory neurons to help reduce pain signaling.2
    • Camphor: Camphor comes from the wood of camphor laurel trees, but it can also be derived synthetically.2 Camphor helps make nerves less sensitive.2
    • Methyl salicylate: This chemical is also known as oil of wintergreen.3 As a topical agent, the effects of methyl salicylate have been attributed to the activation and desensitization of cutaneous nerves.

    Key clinical considerations:

    • Doesn’t require a prescription
    • Starts working on contact for relief that lasts up to 8 hours
    • Targets patients’ pain at the site

    Who Should Use Advil Targeted Relief?

    If your patients are experiencing:

    • Back and body aches
    • Sprains and strains
    • Sore muscles

    Then Advil Targeted Relief might be right for them.

    Does Advil Targeted Relief Contain Lidocaine?

    No, Advil Targeted Relief doesn’t contain lidocaine. It delivers a “hot–cold” sensory experience that starts working on contact and lasts up to 8 hours. Lidocaine works by numbing the area where it’s applied.4 Advil Targeted Relief uses sensory modulation (redirecting attention from pain) rather than surface numbness.

    What is Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel?

    Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel is an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory gel formulated for patients with arthritis pain. Its active ingredient is diclofenac sodium. Diclofenac works by decreasing pain caused by inflammation.5 Voltaren is the #1 doctor-recommended topical analgesic, and it’s the first prescription-strength, clinically proven anti-inflammatory (NSAID) gel.

    Who Should Use Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel?

    Patients with arthritis pain in the following areas can try Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel:

    • Hands, wrists or elbows (upper body areas)
    • Feet, ankles or knees (lower body areas)

What’s the Difference Between Advil Targeted Relief and Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel?

Below is an overview of the key product information for Advil Targeted Relief and Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel, so you know which one to recommend to your patients:

  Advil Targeted Relief Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel
Active Ingredients Menthol, capsaicin, camphor and methyl salicylate Diclofenac sodium 1% (topical NSAID)
Mechanism of Action Creates cooling/warming sensations to distract the nervous system from pain Helps manage pain caused by inflammation
Intended Use Back and body aches, sprains and strains or sore muscles Arthritis pain in hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles or knees
Onset of Action Starts working on contact Relief within a few days when used 4 times a day

Learn more about the Advil family of products that provide pain relief options for your patients, or find out more about joint pain and osteoarthritis.

*Among leading pain relief brands

Register now

Patient Resources

Share our educational content with your patients.

Access now

Advil Targeted Relief

Advil Targeted Relief

Explore the science behind Advil Targeted Relief.

Learn more

Voltaren Packaging

Voltaren

Find out why Voltaren might be the right choice for your patients.

Learn more