NSAIDS, renal problems and women

[emily_in_nc]

Would we be better off using topical pain killer creams or patches like Panaflex Max patches? Bypassing the digestive tract and hopefully only targeting the direct area involved (not so good for headaches but OK for muscle or joint pain).

I have found these type of patches really helpful for my shoulder that was broken and healing tendons etc- actuallly better than taking an oral painkiller.

Don't think these are available in the US, though possibly something equivalent is.

[OakLeaf]

Diclofenac sodium is available as a gel and diclofenac epolamine is available as a patch, in the USA. I don't have access to a print PDR right now, and the online version is only available to licensed prescribers, but the layperson's version says that it's prescribed "as a last resort [emphasis mine] to relieve acute pain due to minor strains, sprains, and bruises." That doesn't make it sound like it's much safer than the oral version...

Then there are salicylate pain patches (related to aspirin) that are available over the counter in the USA.