Methyl Salicylate

Registered South African indications:

• Pain
• Inflammation

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Do not apply to broken skin or excessively raw areas
• Children below 5 years

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Skin sensitivity

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: oin

Muscle aches and pain

• Topical (oin): Apply to the affected area, 8hrly as needed

---

Wash hands after use  

---

This ingredient is available in multiple combinations; Consult product information for specific dosages

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: oin

Muscle aches and pain

Younger than 5 years

• Not established for use

Older than 5 years

• See adult dosage

---

Avoid using over a large surface area or for prolonged duration in children

Pregnancy 

• Caution
• No evidence is available as to the safety of methyl salicylate when used during pregnancy. In such cases, therefore, use with caution

Breastfeeding 

• Caution
• No evidence is available as to the safety of methyl salicylate when used by breastfeeding mothers. In such cases, therefore, use with caution

Renal Impairment 

• Caution; no information available

Hepatic Impairment 

• Caution; no information available

Elderly 

• No dose adjustment recommended 

Porphyria Information

• Not yet classified (NC)

Drugs in Sport

• Non-regulated product
• Non-regulated products are not subjected to rigorous controls to verify its efficacy, safety, nor that the ingredients, dosages and claims listed on the label are indeed accurate, therefore authorities caution athletes against the risk of using these products

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Flushing
• Headache 

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Skin sensitivity
• Rash
• Erythema

Immune Disorders

• Urticaria
• Angioneurotic oedema

No information available

None routine

Salicylate inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins by irreversibly acetylating and inactivating cyclooxygenase.

Methyl salicylate is available in several formulations. Please note the list below gives examples of products, which are available and is not necessarily comprehensive. The listing of a product does not constitute endorsement of the product by EMGuidance; likewise, failure to list a product does not imply that EMGuidance disapproves of the product. This information is put together on the basis of the National Government's Medicines Price Registry at the time of publication

Methyl salicylate
Ointment (per 100g) 10g

• Methyl Salicylate 10% (Barrs Pharmaceuticals)
• Solarub (Gulf Drug)

COMBINATION PREPARATIONS

Methyl salicylate/ Eugenol/ Menthol
Cream (per g) 102mg/13.7mg/54.3mg 

• Counterpain (Bristol-Myers)

Methyl salicylate/ Menthol
Gel (per 10g) 20g/6g

• Deep Heat Liniment (Johnson & Johnson)

Methyl salicylate/ Menthol/ Terpentine oil/ Eucalyptus oil
Cream (per 100g) 12.80g/5.91g/1.47g/1.97g

• Deep Heat rub (Hyde Pharma)

Methyl salicylate/ Methyl nicotinate/ Ethyl salicylate/ Monoglycol salicylate
Spray (per 100g) 0.99g/1.59g/4.95g/4.95g

• Deep Heat spray (Metholatum)

Aescin/ Diethylamine salicylate

Gel (per 100g) 1g/5g

• Reparil Gel (Takeda) originator

Methyl salicylate/ Menthol/ Camphor/ Eucalyptus oil

Ointment (per 100g) 1.77ml/1.22g/0.66g/2ml

• Docrub ointment (MDI)
• Thermo-Rub (Adcock)

Methyl salicylate/ Menthol/ Clove oil/ Oleoresin capsicum/ Cassia oil/ Ether/ Sassfras oil
Liquid (per 5ml) 0.005/7.78/0.025/0.027/0.018/ 0.068/0.012ml

• Moulton's Pain Paint (Pharmaceutical Enter)

Methyl salicylate/ Menthol/ Clove oil/ Oil of amber/ Turpentine oil/ Camphor
Ointment 8.38/4.21/4.21/33.56/4.21/ 4.21

• Puma Balm (S.A.D)